Polymer characterization using packed capillary size exclusion and critical adsorption chromatography combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

The complete characterization of polymers requires the evaluation of both t he molecular weight and chemical composition distributions. Size exclusion chromatography and liquid chromatography at the critical condition (LCCC) a re two methods often used to obtain these distributions. Recently, matrix-a ssisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-time of flight (TOF) mass spect rometry has been used for polymer characterization. The application of pack ed capillary SEC and LCCC is illustrated here for the characterization of p oly(propylene glycol) based materials. Especially in the case of critical c hromatography, packed capillary chromatography separations were achieved th at were not possible using analytical-scale critical chromatography. In add ition, the off-line combination of packed-capillary SEC and LCCC. with MALD I-TOF is described. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.