Simultaneous determination of polymer average molar mass and molar mass distribution, and concentration of additives by GPC–GC†

In this paper, the gel permeation chromatography–gas chromatography (GPC–GC) method was proposed to carry out determination of average molar masses and molar mass distribution of polymers and concentration of additives simultaneously. In this method, after the determination of average molar masses and molar mass distribution by ordinary GPC, a part of the effluent that contains additives was transferred to GC, and the analysis was done successively. As an apparatus, Shimadzu LC-10A system and GC-17AAFver.3 were applied. Tetrahydrofuran was used as the mobile phase of GPC, and a mixed gel-type column was applied. Repeatability of the analysis was examined using polyvinyl chloride in which plasticizers of phthalic acid esters were added. The R.S.D. for each peak area of plasticizers were within 0.5–2.0%. This GPC–GC method was also available for the analysis of samples that contain additives, such as antioxidants. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Micro Sep 12: 501–507, 2000