A Comparison of Polymer Separation Efficiency and Resolution by Gradient LC, GPC and TLC

The specific resolution of gradient LC and reversed phase TLC methods for the separation of different molecular weight standards of poly(isoprene), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(ethylene oxide), poly(styrene) and poly(α-methylstyrene) were determined. It was found that gradient LC has an order of magnitude greater resolving power (for high polymers) than gel permeation chromatography (GPC) while TLC had from two to five times the resolving power of GPC in the molecular weight range investigated. This is a direct result of the greater selectivity of gradient LC and TLC techniques. The specific resolution is also dependent on the type of gradient used to achieve fractionation for the LC technique.