Application of Triple-Detector Size Exclusion Chromatography (On-Line Differential Refractometer, Viscometer and Light Scattering Detectors) for the Characterization of Brominated Polystyrene

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Abstract
A brominated polystyrene sample was used as a probe to explore the increased capabilities of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with on-line light scattering and viscosity detectors—triple-detector SEC (TriSEC). Conventional SEC using only a concentration detector is not capable of providing accurate analysis for these types of polymers. Several flowrates and sample concentrations were used to study their effects on the precision of the various TriSEC-determined molecular parameters. Our study clearly shows the strength and weakness of each of the three detectors, and their interesting synergism in the TriSEC configuration. Overall, the molecular weight distribution results are better determined by light scattering compared to those determined by viscometer using the universal calibration approach. The viscometer, however, gives the important intrinsic viscosity distribution results. These intrinsic viscosity results can be considered for polymer quality control applications, because of their excellent precision and independence from SEC column calibration. The determination of the Mark-Houwink (intrinsic viscosity versus molecular weight) plot for any polymer conformational and structural studies is best done by using all detector signals from TriSEC.