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Absorption contour plot produced from PDA data

Abstract:
Available free on Viscotek website

New publications show application of latest GPC/SEC detection technology

Malvern, UK | Posted on August 18th, 2009

Viscotek, a Malvern company, has published new application notes illustrating the extended capabilities of gel permeation chromatography/size exclusion chromatography (GPC/SEC) using the new photodiode array (PDA) detector for the TDAMax™ system. Now available on the Viscotek website, these application notes illustrate how the new detection technology brings greater flexibility to multi-component characterization and analysis in fields from polymer science to biopharmaceuticals. The application notes describe ‘Conjugated polymer analysis by GPC-PDA' and ‘Polymer blend analysis by GPC-PDA' respectively. Both are freely downloadable at www.viscotek.com/gpcpda.htm

The Viscotek TDAmax is a comprehensive GPC/SEC system with an integrated triple or tetra detector array. By capturing absorption spectra across the UV-vis wavelength range, the new PDA detector provides a fingerprint of each ‘time slice' of the sample as it elutes from the column. Measurement times are just 30 to 40 minutes, making the system highly productive.

UV detection is used routinely to identify protein and polymer species as they elute, and can differentiate between components when other detection methods cannot. However, a conventional system measures at a single wavelength. In contrast, the new PDA detector captures data across the range 190 to 500 nm, allowing users to select wavelengths of interest after the analysis has been carried out.

The PDA also has particular application in the field of smart material research, since unique electrical, thermal or photochromic properties often correlate directly with UV absorption characteristics. The information it gives can be used in both product and process development.

The UV cell of the PDA sits in the temperature controlled zone of the TDAMax™, operating at up to 80oC. Viscotek's powerful OmniSEC™ software package allows data to be displayed as information-rich 3-D images that simplify interpretation.

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), also known as Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), is a chromatographic technique that employs specialized columns to separate natural and synthetic polymers, biopolymers and nanoparticles on the basis of size. When GPC/SEC is coupled with advanced detectors a range of additional parameters can be determined, including intrinsic viscosity, molecular size, and long chain branching.

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About Malvern Instruments
Malvern Instruments provides a range of complementary materials characterization tools that deliver inter-related measurements reflecting the complexities of particulates and disperse systems, nanomaterials and macromolecules. Analytical instruments from Malvern are used in the characterization of a wide variety of materials, from industrial bulk powders to nanomaterials and delicate macromolecules. A broad portfolio of innovative technologies is combined with intelligent, user-friendly software. These systems deliver industrially relevant data enabling our customers to make the connection between micro (such as particle size) and macro (bulk) material properties (rheology) and chemical composition (chemical imaging).

Particle size, particle shape, zeta potential, molecular weight, chemical composition and rheological properties measurements are now joined by advanced chromatography solutions (GPC/SEC), extending Malvern’s technologies for protein molecular weight, size and aggregation measurements, and synthetic polymer molecular weight and distribution. The company’s laboratory, at-line, on-line and in-line solutions are proven in sectors as diverse as cement production and pharmaceutical drug discovery.

Headquartered in Malvern, UK, Malvern Instruments has subsidiary organizations in all major European markets, North America, China, Korea and Japan, a joint venture in India, a global distributor network and applications laboratories around the world.

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