Flow-injection analysis and variable-flow light-scattering methods and apparatus for characterizing polymers
First Claim
1. A method for characterizing a plurality of non-biological polymer samples, the method comprisingproviding a library comprising four or more different non-biological polymer samples, serially injecting the four or more non-biological polymer samples into a mobile-phase of a continuous-flow detector in a flow-injection analysis system, and detecting a property of the injected samples or of components thereof with the continuous-flow detector.
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Abstract
Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed. The described methods, systems, and devices have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.
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Citations
93 Claims
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1. A method for characterizing a plurality of non-biological polymer samples, the method comprising
providing a library comprising four or more different non-biological polymer samples, serially injecting the four or more non-biological polymer samples into a mobile-phase of a continuous-flow detector in a flow-injection analysis system, and detecting a property of the injected samples or of components thereof with the continuous-flow detector.
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23. A method for characterizing a plurality of non-biological polymer samples, the method comprising
serially injecting four or more non-biological polymer samples into a mobile-phase of a continuous-flow detector in a flow-injection analysis system, and detecting a property of the injected samples or of components thereof with the continuous-flow detector at an average sample-throughput of not more than about 30 seconds minutes per sample.
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24. A method for characterizing a non-biological polymer sample, the method comprising
injecting a non-biological polymer sample into a mobile phase of a continuous-flow light-scattering detector, advancing the injected sample toward a detection cavity of the detector, the sample-containing mobile phase having an advancing flowrate, VADVANCE, while the injected sample is advanced toward the detection cavity, reducing the flowrate of the sample-containing mobile phase to a detection flowrate, VDETECT, detecting light scattered from the injected sample or from a component thereof in the detection cavity of the detector while the mobile-phase flowrate is reduced to the detection flowrate, VDETECT, and flushing the sample from the detection cavity after detecting the scattered light.
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50. A method for characterizing a non-biological polymer sample, the method comprising
injecting a non-biological polymer sample into a mobile-phase of a continuous-flow light-scattering detector, detecting light scattered from the injected sample or from a component thereof in a detection cavity of the detector, the sample-containing mobile phase having a detection flowrate, VDETECT, while the scattered light is detected, flushing the sample from the detection cavity after detecting the scattered light, increasing the flowrate of the sample-containing mobile phase to a passing flowrate, VPASS, after detecting the scattered light, and passing the flushed sample away from the detection cavity of the detector at the increased higher flowrate, VPASS.
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51. A method for characterizing a plurality of non-biological polymer samples, the method comprising
serially injecting a plurality of non-biological polymer samples into a mobile phase of a continuous-flow light-scattering detector, advancing the injected samples toward a detection cavity of the detector, detecting light scattered from the injected samples or from a component thereof in the detection cavity, flushing the samples from the detection cavity after detecting the scattered light, passing the flushed sample away from the detection cavity, and controlling the flow-rates of the samples during the steps of injecting, advancing, detecting, flushing or passing such that the average sample throughput is not more than about 60 seconds per sample.
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59. A method for characterizing a plurality of non-biological polymer samples, the method comprising
(a) withdrawing a non-biological polymer sample from a sample container, (b) injecting the polymer sample into a mobile-phase of a continuous-flow light-scattering detector while the mobile phase has an advancing flowrate, VADVANCE, (c) advancing the injected first sample toward a detection cavity of the detector while maintaining the flowrate of the mobile phase at the advancing flowrate, VADVANCE, (d) reducing the flowrate of the mobile-phase to a detection flowrate, VDETECT, (e) detecting light scattered from sample or from a component thereof in the detection cavity of the detector while the mobile-phase flowrate is at the reduced detection flowrate, VDETECT, (f) flushing the first sample from the detection cavity after detecting the scattered light, (g) increasing the flowrate of the mobile-phase to a passing flowrate, VPASS that is substantially the same as advancing flowrate, VADVANCE, after detecting the scattered light, (h) passing the flushed sample away from the detection cavity of the detector while maintaining the flowrate of the mobile phase at the passing flowrate, VPASS, and (i) repeating steps (a) through (h) for a plurality of non-biological polymer samples.
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70. A method for characterizing a polymer sample, the method comprising
injecting a polymer sample into a mobile phase of a continuous-flow detector om a flow-injection analysis system, detecting a property of the injected sample or of one or more components thereof with the continuous-flow detector, and maintaining the sample at a temperature of not less than about 75° - C. during a period of time including from when the sample is injected into the mobile phase of the continuous-flow detector to when the property of the injected samples or of a component thereof is detected.
- View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73)
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74. In a continuous-flow light-scattering detection system comprising a light-scattering detector having a detection cavity, the detection cavity having an inlet port and an outlet port through which a sample-containing mobile phase can flow, a mobile-phase fluid source in fluid communication with the inlet port of the detection cavity, a pump for providing flow of the mobile phase from the source to the detection cavity, and an injection port in fluid communication with the mobile phase for injecting a sample into the mobile phase of the continuous-flow light-scattering detector, the improvement comprising
a detector for indicating the position of an injected sample relative to the detection cavity, a flow-control element for controlling the flowrate of the mobile phase, and a controller in communication with the detector and with the flow-control element.
Specification