Ultrahigh Molar Mass Component Detected in Ethylhydroxyethyl Cellulose by Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation Coupled to Multiangle Light Scattering

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (flow FFF) was connected to multiangle light scattering (MALS) and refractive index (RI) detectors for characterization of the molar mass distribution and molecular radius of a cellulose derivative, ethylhydroxyethyl cellulose (EHEC). Experimental conditions were optimized to allow study of a wide range of molar mass including even ultrahigh molar mass (UHM) components. The weight-average molar mass was 3.1 × 105 g·mol-1 representing a very broad range (of molar mass) from 4.0 × 104 to 107 g·mol-1, which corresponds to from 8 g·mol-1 with a hydrodynamic diameter of 0.35 μm. Careful choice of the pore size in in-line filters is necessary in order to minimize MALS detector noise without removing the UHM component. Flow FFF-MALS-RI was demonstrated to be uniquely suited to detect the presence of UHM components.