Change in GPC elution volume of polymers by adsorption onto porous glass as column packing

Abstract

The elution volume of polystyrene or of poly(ethylene glycol) of various molecular weights was measured in both tetrahydrofuran and benzene at 40 or 60°C by means of gel permeation chromatography utilizing columns packed with crosslinked polystyrene gel or porous glass. When the polystyrene gel was used as the column packing, a relationship between log [η]M and the peak elution volume for polystyrene agreed with that for poly(ethylene glycol). Using columns packed with glass, however, the elution volume of polystyrene was smaller than that of poly(ethylene glycol) at the same log [η]M. The results are considered to be attributable to the adsorption of poly(ethylene glycol) onto the glass. The effect of the adsorption on the elution volume was evaluated by assuming a universal calibration for columns containing porous glass; the deviation of the elution volume from the universal calibration curve increased with increase in molecular weight. At lower temperatures, even polystyrene was adsorbed onto the glass. Therefore, to reduce the adsorption of polymers on glass, it is necessary to increase the temperature or use surface treatment when porous glass is used as a GPC column packing.