Characterization of Polyethylene Using Fast Analytical Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation with Triple Detection (ATREF 3D)

Abstract

A commercially available gel permeation chromatograph with triple detection (GPC3D) was coupled with a gas chromatograph to obtain a fast analytical temperature rising fractionation system with triple detection (ATREF3D). On this hybrid instrument we developed a fast method for evaluating in one run, and with less than 0.5 mg of sample, the density, molecular weight, and the type of polyethylene. The method was evaluated with excellent results on commercial polyethylene resins typically used for film and packaging applications.