Comonomer Identification: Strategies and Detection Options
Macromolecules are found everywhere in our daily lives. They are produced from monomer units, small building blocks that can be polymerized to large molecules with different lengths (and, therefore, molar masses), structures, compositions, and end groups. If a macromolecule is synthesized using only one type of monomer with the same chemical structure, it is considered a homopolymer. If it comprises two different types of monomers, it is called a copolymer. In addition, terpolymers are polymers composed of three different monomers.
Since all technical polymerizations are statistical processes, a common feature of the vast majority of macromolecules is heterogeneity. The molar mass distribution is a well-known heterogeneity, and GPC/SEC is the method of choice to measure it.
In the case of copolymers, chemical composition is an additional heterogeneity that also governs the macroscopic product properties. Not only does the average percentage of comonomers present in the final product affect the material’s properties, but the distribution of the monomers along the chain also affects performance.
Pittcon 2025: Xiao Su Discusses His Work in Electrochemical Separations
March 13th 2025In this video interview with Xiao Su, he dives deeper into the research that he and his team are conducting with redox-active polymers and the applicability of electrochemical approaches in separation science.
The Next Frontier for Mass Spectrometry: Maximizing Ion Utilization
January 20th 2025In this podcast, Daniel DeBord, CTO of MOBILion Systems, describes a new high resolution mass spectrometry approach that promises to increase speed and sensitivity in omics applications. MOBILion recently introduced the PAMAF mode of operation, which stands for parallel accumulation with mobility aligned fragmentation. It substantially increases the fraction of ions used for mass spectrometry analysis by replacing the functionality of the quadrupole with high resolution ion mobility. Listen to learn more about this exciting new development.
Pittcon 2025: Kate Perrault Uptmor Talks About Multidimensional GC and Mentorship
March 13th 2025In our interview with Kate Perrault Uptmor, we asked her about the resources available for those interested in learning more about multidimensional chromatography, and current trends happening in separation science that are of particular note.
Analyzing Effects of Adverse Cardiovascular Events on Chronic Kidney Disease with HPLC
March 13th 2025Researchers investigated the potential association between plasma apolipoprotein M (APOM) levels and the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Plasma sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
