Size exclusion chromatography analysis of block terpolymers using refractometry and dual UV detection

A general method to characterize repartition of segments in block terpolymers is presented. It uses a classical SEC apparatus fitted with triple detection refractometer and dual wavelength UV detector. From the three chromatograms, we extract the weight fraction of each segment for each elution volume. That method is applied to SBM terpolymers from ARKEMA, containing polystyrene, polybutadiene and polymethylmethacrylate segments. UV detection is monitored at 230 and 254 nm.