Gel permeation chromatography

An automated gel permeation chromatograph-low-angle laser light-scattering system capable of measuring the molecular-weight distribution of soluble polymers without the necessity of calibration is described. The automation system eliminates most of the tediousness associated with molecular-weight distribution measurement. The molecular-weight distributions and molecular-weight averages of a broad range of polystyrene standards were determined using this technique. The results obtained are shown to agree closely with literature data.