Leading Academics Select Viscotek GPC Systems for Polymer Reaction Engineering Research
10 June 2010: Malvern, UK: A team of researchers led by Professor Timothy McKenna, Canada Research Chair in polymer reaction engineering at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, is using the Viscotek TDAmax gel permeation chromatography (GPC) system from Malvern Instruments to optimize polymerisation conditions for the production of specifically tailored materials, including those with applications in the paints and adhesives industries. The Viscotek TDAmax GPC system delivers absolute molecular weight and molecular weight distributions, both of which are crucial polymeric parameters that dictate performance. One of the team's primary goals is to control free radical polymerisation reactions to achieve the desired characteristics in acrylate, methacrylate and styrenic-based polymers.
"For us GPC is an essential tool," said Professor McKenna. "The Viscotek range provides a reliable solution and Malvern offers excellent and local customer support. In previous research, I routinely used a Malvern Zetasizer to study particle size and zeta potential. The instrument worked extremely well and any questions requiring Malvern's help were always dealt with swiftly and efficiently."
The Viscotek range of GPC systems is one of the most recent additions to the Malvern portfolio of analytical tools for polymer characterization. Complementing Malvern's renowned Zetasizer series, which uses light scattering techniques to measure zeta potential and particle size, and the company's capillary and rotational rheometers for melt characterization, the TDAmax is a fully integrated triple detector GPC system. It incorporates refractive index and light scattering detectors and a viscometer, and provides direct absolute molecular weight measurement and precise intrinsic viscosity data, enabling comprehensive investigation of polymer properties, including structure. www.malvern.com/viscotek_tdamax
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 distribution. 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, Korea and Japan, a joint venture in India, a global distributor network and applications laboratories around the world. www.malvern.com
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