Essential Polymer Characterization: The Benefits of Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) and Field Flow Fractionation (FFF) for Determining Molecular Weights, Sizes and Branching Ratios

Presented by: Andrew Meyer, Ph.D., Wyatt Technology
Presented Live: January 12, 2016

Characterization techniques based on multi-angle light scattering with chromatography (SEC-MALS) or field-flow fractionation (FFF-MALS) address many of the key analytical challenges in the modern polymer laboratory. This seminar will review light scattering technology, instrumentation and applications to polymer research. Select examples will illustrate how a complete light scattering solution based on SEC-MALS facilitates rapid and effective characterization of a wide variety of polymers, including polyacrylamides, acrylic copolymers, nylons, styrenes and more.

Recent advances in commercial applications of high molecular weight and/or branched polymers pose a particular challenge to analytical systems that were designed for simpler polymers. Case studies will be presented to illustrate failures of single-detector chromatography or SEC-MALS, wherein the addition of MALS to FFF made proper analysis possible. The supplemental roles of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Viscometry will also be explored.