Thermal Separation of Complex Polymers?

The Postnova TF2000 is an advanced thermal field flow fractionation (TF3) system that provides a highly efficient method of separating and characterising complex polymer samples such as natural or synthetic rubbers, starches and paints from approximately 10 kDa up to 100 MDa and more in organic and aqueous solvents.

The TF2000 uses a temperature gradient as the driving force for its separation of polymers and particles. Molecules affected by the thermal gradient undergo diffusion which enables separation by both their molar mass and chemical composition. This unique feature allows the separation of different materials having the same molar mass. The separation can be further optimised by the use of different eluents and various temperature programs.

Drawing upon proprietary Postnova Analytics technology the TF2000 system is able to separate polymers and particles at the same time without the limitations associated with GPC/SEC. Unlike traditional GPC/SEC separation, no sample treatment is necessary with the Postnova TF2000 as samples can be injected without pre-filtration. This allows the characterisation of complex polymer and nanoparticulate samples without any potential alteration and damage. Also beneficially the TF2000 has no size exclusion limit and therefore even ultra-high molar mass, branched and cross-linked polymers as well as gels, aggregates and particles can be separated using the system.

To enable users to fully realise the wide applications potential of the thermal field flow fractionation technique, the Postnova TF2000 system is available with various add-on modules and special FFF detectors including Refractive Index (RI), Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). All Postnova FFF modules and FFF detectors have been especially designed and optimised for FFF.