Analysis of organosilicone copolymers by gradient polymer elution chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection

Organosilicone copolymers have found numerous applications in the cosmetics, detergent and coating industries. Coupling a polar polymer (like polyglycols) to a non-polar silicone gives anchorage and emulsification capabilities to the polymer. When coupling a silicone polymer to a polyglycol, the copolymer formed differs from the starting polymers by a single bond which is often difficult to evidence using spectroscopic techniques such as NMR or infrared, especially when the polymers have a high molecular mass. Gradient polymer elution chromatography (GPEC) coupled to an evaporative light scattering detector was developed for the characterization of copolymers based on their chemical composition distribution. Different block and graft polyglycol–silicone copolymers were successfully characterized by GPEC and residual homopolymers have been easily quantified.