Besides TREF-GPC, we discussed in Sect. 4.2.1 that SGIC with a carbon-based
column combined with GPC (SGIC2D) could also provide composition–molar
mass interdependence [117, 118]. When dealing with more amorphous polymers,
the interaction chromatography modes SGIC or TGIC are the most appropriate.
Quite interestingly, the combination of TGIC and GPC can be performed in
the same instrument as the TREF-GPC; it only requires to replace the TREF column
with the TGIC one. This is especially interesting given the method simplicity of the
TGIC and TREF modes, with no requirement for a solvent gradient and easier
availability of detectors than for the SGIC approach.
The analysis of an EPDM sample by TGIC-GPC is shown in Fig. 41 [134].
The amorphous EPDM polymer would not crystallize in TREF but it is adsorbed
IR CH band Concentration
IR detector methyls/1000 C
Fig. 40 TREF-GPC of a high impact PP with a significant amount of PE homopolymer. The
analysis was performed with an additional CH 3 sensor. The amorphous fraction was not analyzed
Fig. 41 Left: TGIC-GPC of an EPDM sample. Right: Reconstructed CCD and MMD with second
dimensions
Polyolefin Characterization: Recent Advances in Separation Techniques
245
column combined with GPC (SGIC2D) could also provide composition–molar
mass interdependence [117, 118]. When dealing with more amorphous polymers,
the interaction chromatography modes SGIC or TGIC are the most appropriate.
Quite interestingly, the combination of TGIC and GPC can be performed in
the same instrument as the TREF-GPC; it only requires to replace the TREF column
with the TGIC one. This is especially interesting given the method simplicity of the
TGIC and TREF modes, with no requirement for a solvent gradient and easier
availability of detectors than for the SGIC approach.
The analysis of an EPDM sample by TGIC-GPC is shown in Fig. 41 [134].
The amorphous EPDM polymer would not crystallize in TREF but it is adsorbed
IR CH band Concentration
IR detector methyls/1000 C
Fig. 40 TREF-GPC of a high impact PP with a significant amount of PE homopolymer. The
analysis was performed with an additional CH 3 sensor. The amorphous fraction was not analyzed
Fig. 41 Left: TGIC-GPC of an EPDM sample. Right: Reconstructed CCD and MMD with second
dimensions
Polyolefin Characterization: Recent Advances in Separation Techniques
245