Branching analysis of β-cyclodextrin-based poly(<i>N</i>-isopropylacrylamide) star polymers using triple detection SEC

For the first time, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) star polymers with a β-cyclodextrin core are characterized in detail by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) triple detection to experimentally verify number of arms. A combination refractive index detector, multi-angle laser light scattering and an online-viscosimeter was used for branching analysis. At first, SEC system calibrated detector setup validated using linear polystyrene reference polymers. The applicability established analysis shown two commercially available Due high molar masses polymers, both contraction ratio g g′ could be determined independently, thus allowing calculation viscosity shielding ε. Finally, PNIPAAm confirm assumed arm up 21 Moreover, increasingly compact molecular structure influence on shown.