Determination of Polymer Heterogeneity by Two-Dimensional Orthogonal Liquid Chromatography

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Abstract
Liquid adsorption chromatography at critical conditions (LACCC) is a versatile method for the determination of different types of chemical heterogeneity in polymers. Coupling of LACCC in the first and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) in the second dimension is a useful tool to characterize polymers. Experimental problems of this orthogonal two-dimensional chromatographic method and applications are presented. Polyesters, polyethers and macromers are characterized according to their functionality and molar mass. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) is an excellent method for identification of LACCC fractions and SEC calibration. The results of two-dimensional liquid chromatography are presented by a contour map (fingerprint of polymer).