Two-dimensional chromatography of complex polymers Part 1. Analysis of a graft copolymer by two-dimensional chromatography with on-line FTIR detection

The grafting of butyl acrylate onto poly(styrene-block-butadiene) is invest igated by two-dimensional (2D) liquid chromatography. Separating the graft backbone and the graft product by liquid chromatography at the critical poi nt of adsorption in the first dimension and size exclusion chromatography i n the second dimension, detailed information in the coordinates chemical co mposition and molar mass are obtained. It is shown that the grafting reacti on results in the formation of a complex product due to the fact that in ad dition to grafting the graft backbone undergoes partial degradation. Combin ing 2D chromatography and FTIR spectroscopy in a quasi on-line setup, all c omponents of the graft product can be identified. Via selective detection, the chemical composition drift of the different fractions can be determined . (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.