Characterization of poly(ε-caprolactone) via size exclusion chromatography with online right-angle laser-light scattering and viscometric detectors

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) was characterized by size exclusion chromatogrophy on-line with a right-angle laser-light scattering photometer and a four-capillary bridge design differential viscometer (SEC/RI/RALLS/ DV) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 25degreesC. The dependence of intrinsic viscosity and radius of gyration of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) on molecular weight was established, and Flory's characteristic ratio C-infinity was calculated for this polymer from these data. The results show that THF is a good solvent fir poly (epsilon-caprolactone). Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) exhibits a random-coil conformation in THF, and SEC with online RALLS and DV detectors offer an easy way to obtain information on chain flexibility. The C-infinity results are in good accord with previously reported values for this polymer.