Project Details:

Size exclusion chromatography dispersion correction

Natural and synthetic polymers are in most cases polydisperse in size (and weight). For many applications, not limited to reference standard materials, this polydispersity is a crucial performance parameter. Among a variety of methods for its characterization, size exclusion chromatography is the most widely used technique and parameters specified on vendor's labels are largely based on it. There is general agreement that these polydispersity values reported by manufacturers, vendors and in fact by most scientists are too high due to neglect of process dispersion. The state of affairs is not the lack of scientific understanding of the problem but negligence and lack of an authoritative procedure. The purpose of the proposed activity is to discuss the subject matter at a theoretical level using electronic means, initiate further experimental studies if this is required to settle theoretical ambiguities, and arrive at a recommendation and procedure that has a chance to be accepted by industry and customers alike. It is for the latter reason that this project can fulfill its purpose only if a large number of laboratories subscribe to it. Participation therefore will be two-tiered: those who are experts on chromatographic theory have to negotiate a starting proposal, and those who consider themselves primarily application laboratories have to judge if the recommendations suit their needs and are practical.