The patented design of the SEC-3010 viscosity/refractive index detector allows the simultaneous determination of the refractive index and the intrinsic viscosity of a polymer solution.
The Thame, Oxfordshire-based firm says the sophisticated technology of the device overcomes the disadvantages usually encountered with coupled detectors. The asymmetrical bridge circuit allows 80% of the sample to reach the measuring arm, compared with 50% in conventional instruments, thus increasing sensitivity by a factor of 2, the firm says. Direct integration of the refractive index measuring cell in the analytical arm of the viscometer allows the determination of the intrinsic viscosity and the refractive index in the same sample segment.
The multi-angle light-scattering detector is a seven-angle detector for the comprehensive characterisation of macromolecular compounds. It achieves the highest quality and precision in the absolute determination of molecular weight, the firm says. A precise, temperature-controlled laser beam illuminates the sample. The scattered light is collected by a highly sensitive CCD detector, which transmits the data to the ParSEC software.
The ParSEC Enhanced software provides a solution for comprehensive polymer characterisation via multi-detector GPC. It records and evaluates the data from various combinations of GPC detectors.
The software also calculates the specific and intrinsic viscosity, the Mark-Houwink coefficients, the absolute molecular weights, the Mw/Mn structure coefficients and the branching parameters from the scattered light data. All analytical methods, raw data, calibrations, results and sample information are stored in a single database, allowing easy archiving and retrieval of data.
