Project Details:

Accuracy and reproducibility of functionality type analysis of poly(ethylene oxide) homo and copolymers by LC-CC

The aims of this project are

1. to establish critical LC conditions for poly(ethylene glycol) using a given experimental procedure,
2. to compare the critical eluents compositions in the partner laboratories,
3. to separate and quantify a given number of PEO test samples with regard to functionality type distribution, and
4. to compare the results with regard to accuracy and reproducibility. Finally, conclusions shall be withdrawn on the robustness of LC-CC procedures in daily routine.

A range of poly ethylene glycols (PEG) having different molar masses will be characterized by liquid chromatographic methods. We will mainly focus on the liquid chromatography at the critical point of adsorption (LC-CC) Using these technique polymers can be separated selectively with regard to chemical composition or functionality, as has been shown for macromonomers, random and block copolymers, and polymer blends. Since the method becomes widely used it is necessary to find and establish standard procedures and to study the accuracy and reproducibility.

Data will be accumulated from different labs in an academic and industrial environment. A further key will be to study the sensitivity of the different experimental conditions applied in the different labs. An ambiguous target will be the characterization of "real world samples" e.g. PEG's having different endgroups. We will concentrate on PEO's having fatty alcohol endgroups which are of particular interest for industrial applicationsAlso we will study different PEO-PPO copolymers which are used as precursors for instance for polyurethanes. Typically they are made using multifunctional starters (e.g. TMP, Gycerol) an can exhibit a great variety of chemical compositions.