Analysis of polyolefi ns
by GPC/SEC
Application Compendium
Authors
Greg Saunders, Ben MacCreath
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
2
Contents Page
Polyolefi n analysis by GPC/SEC
Introduction .............................................................................................................................................3
The GPC separation mechanism .......................................................................................................4
GPC system requirements for polyolefi n analysis ....................................................................... 5
Sample preparation
Agilent PL-SP 260VS Sample Preparation System .......................................................................6
System, software and standards
The Agilent PL-GPC 220 Integrated GPC/SEC System ...............................................................7
Agilent Cirrus GPC Software – the universal GPC solution .......................................................9
Standards for column calibration in polyolefi n analysis ...........................................................10
Recommendations for setting up a GPC/SEC system for polyolefi n analysis ....................11
Columns for GPC analysis of polyolefi ns
Agilent PLgel Olexis ............................................................................................................................12
Polyolefi n applications
Columns for high-molecular-weight polyolefi ns ..........................................................................14
Columns for lower-molecular-weight polyolefi ns ........................................................................15
Repeatability study 1 ...........................................................................................................................16
Repeatability study 2 ...........................................................................................................................17
Specialist detectors
Multi-detector options for polyolefi n analysis .............................................................................19
GPC viscometry – analysis using a concentration detector and viscometer ......................19
GPC light scattering – analysis employing a concentration detector and
a light scattering detector .................................................................................................................19
GPC triple detection – analysis using concentration, viscometry and light
scattering data .....................................................................................................................................20
Comparisons between conventional GPC, GPC viscometry, GPC light
scattering and GPC triple detection ................................................................................................20
Branching
Comparing long-chain branching in polyethylenes ....................................................................21
Branching analysis of polyethylenes with
Cirrus GPC Multi Detector Software ..............................................................................................22
Analysis of branching in linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) ........................................24
GPC/FTIR analysis of polyethylene ................................................................................................25
More Agilent solutions for polyolefi n analysis .........................................................................27