Pushing the Boundaries of GPC


University of Texas researchers use Malvern Viscotek systems to characterize challenging polymers

Malvern, UK: The Viscotek multi-detector gel permeation chromatography (GPC) system from Malvern Instruments is proving to be the ideal solution for researchers at The University of Texas at Austin whose work is taking them to the very limits of what can be achieved by GPC. The research team from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is using multiple Viscotek GPC instruments to help guide the development of new monomers and polymers for use in high performance solar cells.

"We prepare many novel polymers and need the most powerful GPC technology available in order to fully characterize our materials," says Professor Christopher Bielawski. "The multiple detectors of the Viscotek system provide us with critical compositional, structural, and molecular weight information, particularly for some of our more challenging materials. Equally important, however, is the support we've received from Malvern. Their GPC experts have helped us to find new and innovative ways to push the boundaries of the technique to new limits which have been beneficial for our studies."

Professor Bielawski's group synthesises new monomers, which are combined using a polymerization reaction to form new polymers that feature novel structures and useful properties. They frequently target very high molecular weight materials which are often only sparingly soluble in the solvents typically used for GPC analysis. Here, Malvern has provided support by exploring the application of relatively exotic eluents to help the group establish new procedures to successfully acquire the information required.

The Viscotek TDA Max, is a complete, advanced, multi-detector GPC/size exclusion chromatography systems suitable for all macromolecules. It is configurable with a comprehensive range of detectors: refractive index; viscometry; light scattering (dynamic or static); and UV (single wavelength or PDA). Powerful OmniSEC software simplifies control of the whole system, combining the information from each detector to provide advanced characterization parameters.

Malvern, Malvern Instruments and Viscotek are registered trademarks of Malvern Instruments Ltd
Ends

For more information on Prof. Christopher Bielawski, visit: bielawski.cm.utexas.edu/

About Malvern Instruments

Malvern Instruments is a market leader in measuring performance controlling material properties. These include particle size, particle shape, zeta potential, molecular weight, size and conformation, rheological properties and chemical identification. Malvern delivers the systems, support and expertise that ensure the analytical integrity and productivity needed to drive research, development and manufacturing.

Malvern's measurement solutions for scientists, technologists and engineers advance continually through customer collaboration. Complementary materials characterization systems deliver inter-related measurements that reflect the complexities of particulates and disperse systems, nanomaterials and macromolecules. Combining intelligently implemented technologies with in-depth industry applications knowledge and support, Malvern provides customers with the competitive advantage they demand.

Headquartered in Malvern, UK, Malvern Instruments has subsidiary organizations in all major European markets, North America, China, Japan and Korea, a joint venture in India, a global distributor network and applications laboratories around the world. www.malvern.com

USA contact:

Marisa Fraser, Malvern Instruments Inc.

117 Flanders Road, Westborough, MA 01581-1042 USA

Tel: +1 508 768 6400 Fax: +1 508 768 6403 marisa.fraser@malvern.com

Please send sales enquiries to:

Alison Vines, Malvern Instruments Ltd

Enigma Business Park, Grovewood Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 1XZ UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1684 892456; Fax: +44 (0) 1684 892789 salesinfo@malvern.com

All Topics