Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 11, 2025

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 10, 2018
Solvent-Independent Molecular Weight Determination of Polymers Based on a Truly Universal Calibration
Pieter-Jan Voorter1, Alasdair McKay1, Jinhuo Dai2
1Polymer Reaction Design Group, School of Chemistry, Monash University, 19 Rainforest Walk, Building 23, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
Abstract:
Diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) allows for accurate molecular weight calibration and determination that can be corrected for solvent influences. Polystyrene and poly(ethylene glycol) standards have been used to calibrate DOSY diffusion data for a variety of solvents, showing a high correlation of data when the bulk viscosity of the solvent is accounted for following the Stokes-Einstein equation. In this way, a type of universal calibration is introduced that allows for determinations of average molecular weight that are at least as accurate as those of traditional size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), if not better. Further, we demonstrate that DOSY calibrations can be used between laboratories, hence removing the need for individual calibration of setups as currently done.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight
The number average molecular weight (Mn) is the summation of the number...
Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
Size-Exclusion Chromatography
Silica particles offer advantages such as rigidity,...
High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS)
Mass Spectrum: Interpretation
To...

