SELS - Solvent Enhanced Light Scattering

Wei Sen Wong¹, Chris Mirley², and Sean Daughtry²,

¹Viscotek Corporation and ²Metabolix

Viscotek has been a strong advocate of good chromatography as a prerequisite for GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography) data accuracy. Our recent work in application development has been driven by extremely difficult samples from industrial, biopharmaceutical, and academic sources. These samples present challenges ranging from sample solubility, column adsorption, as well as detection issues. This report will attempt to highlight a new approach that could be very helpful in certain advanced GPC applications.

Figure 1

SELS emphasizes the separate and different roles of sample solvent and mobile phase in a GPC analysis where the two liquid mediums can be synergistically applied to solve a variety of chromatographic problems. This is a break from tradition where most GPC analysis would involve a single solvent for sample prep and as the mobile phase. In SELS, one could choose the best solvent for a set of samples in term of solubility. On the other hand, users can also maximize detector sensitivity, particularly LS, by choosing a mobile phase that would provide the highest dn/dc values for the samples. Because of the much larger volumes required for the mobile phase, material cost, and HS&E properties could also be important factors. Finally, column-sample interaction can also be moderated through proper selection of the mobile phase. In general, SELS is rapidly becoming a significant parameter in GPC method development.

The following is an excellent SELS example where we have applied this technique to a Polyhydroxy Alkonate (PHA, Trade Name Mirel) material. Mirel is a family of biobased, sustainable, and biodegradable plastics that are environmentally responsible alternatives to a wide variety of petroleum-based plastics. Mirel production reduces the use of fossil energy by more than 95% and provides a 200% reduction in greenhouse gases compared to production of conventional petroleum-based plastics. Mirel bioplastics can also harmlessly biodegrade in a broad range of environments including: soil, home compost, industrial compost, wetlands, and the ocean at the end of their useful life. Metabolix is currently producing an injection molding, sheet and blown film grade, and focusing on short term applications such as: compost bags, horticulture and agriculture, business products, packaging, gift cards, and electronic components.

Mirel presented an interesting challenge to the Light Scattering GPC measurement. While Mirel is Chloroform soluble, the dn/dc of this material is very low in Chloroform. It is important to increase the dn/dc value in order to get better LS response. This can be achieved with a lower refractive index mobile phase like Tetrahydrofuran (THF). However, this PHA polymer is not soluble in THF. Using the SELS concept, we combine of the solubility capability of Chloroform and the Enhanced LS response offered by THF in one single experiment to maximize the accuracy and the reliability of the analysis. The following overlay of the Low Angle Laser Light Scattering (LALS) responses of Mirel in THF and Chloroform clearly shows the power of SELS. Typical dn/dc values in these two solvents are also given.

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