Chemical characterization of cellulose acetate by non-exclusion liquid chromatography

The physical properties of cellulose acetate polymers are not governed solely by their average chemical properties, but are also dependent upon molecular mass and acetyl distributions. Currently, most analytical techniques that are routinely used to characterize cellulose esters, provide only a mean value of the property that is measured. Non-exclusion liquid chromatography was investigated as a means of analyzing cellulose acetate polymers over a compositional range from 37-43% (w/w) acetyl. Under optimum conditions this technique was highly selective for the chemical composition of these polymers, providing information on both mean acetyl composition and acetyl distribution. The purpose of this paper is to describe chromatographic variables required to successfully characterize cellulose acetate.