Improved SEC-FTIR method for the characterization of multimodal high-density polyethylenes

A size-exclusion chromatography-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (SEC-FTIR) method for the analysis of high-density polyethylene copolymers was developed, providing superior resolution for the determination of short-chain branching as a function of time and improved repeatability by hardware adaptation and processing optimization. SEC-FTIR for characterization of polyolefins is a compromising technique. Best resolution in terms of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution requires a very low sample solution concentration in size-exclusion chromatography while best results from online infrared (IR) spectroscopy require as high concentrations as possible. The signal-to-noise ratio at the IR detector could be increased significantly after application of a bandpass filter instead of a steel mesh attenuator and furthermore influences of system instabilities could be decreased by changes in data processing. Reliable short-chain branching information in the high molecular weight section in respect to accuracy and repeatability with better chromatographic resolution could be achieved.