The applications of gel permeation chromatography in the paint and allied industries. Part 2

Vinyl acetate was polymerised at −24°C, under an atmosphere of nitrogen and using an Hanovia 100-W mercury arc lamp, by Atkinson et al. (2) who then subjected the product to preparative GPC using a Waters Associates AnaPrep chromatography unit fitted with columns (1.2m × 2.5cm dia. or 1.2m × 6.25cm dia.) that were packed with Styragel chosen to suit the MSD of the samples as previously determined in a separate analytical GPC run. Fractions from several runs, that were obtained by elution with toluene at a flow rate of 15mL min−1, were combined together prior to recovery of the polymer samples by freeze drying the solutions now in benzene. The Mn of each fraction so obtained was determined in toluene at 40°C using a Hewlett-Packard model 502 osmometer fitted with Arro 450 special membranes.