Effects of Surface Area and Pore Size upon Liquid Chromatographic Fractionations of Polystyrene Oligomers Using Ethylphenyl-Derivatized Silicas

Abstract

Oligomers of 800 and 2200 MW polystyrene have been separated on ethylphenyl-derivatized silicas. This study examined the effects of surface area, pore size, sample loading, and functionality of the silica surface upon oligomer separations. Particle size, endcapping, and polymerization of the silane were held constant. Silicas having small pores and high surface area yielded the best separation. Also, ethylphenyl was better than n-octyl for separating 800 MW polystyrene oligomers.