Hi Violette,

I work with triple detection GPC/SEC for Malvern Panalytical and have experience analyzing PET in HFP. Unfortunately, I don't have the resources to run any samples at the moment but I can refer you to Jordi Labs (https://jordilabs.com), a contract lab that uses our equipment and has the ability to run HFIP.

The triple detection instrument can provide the molecular weight, viscosity, and branching data you're interested in. The best way to obtain branching data is to compare the branched sample to a linear analogue, so if you have one of those available I would recommend analyzing that as well.

I hope this helps.

Hi Kyle Aronson Williams,

Thank you very much for your answer which helps yes!

I already did this test on linear and LCB biodegradable polyester during my Ph.D thesis and even analyzed it myself. It is really interesting to remind to those who will read this question in the future that the SEC-MALLS can give information on branching only when compared to the linear analog of the LCB polymer tested (in the case of PET, neat PET is always linear so it is easy to do it).

You might try Polyanalytik in London, Ontario. They are quite well equipped and have a very knowlegable (sp?) staff. I think they are on a research extension part of Western University.

Scot Abbott Thank you for your answer. I am already in contact with them yes. I am waiting for an estimation of the costs. However, I look preferentially for an academic lab because they usually do "discount" to other academics. I found a lab in Germany which asked 3000€ for the first sample + HFIP cost. It is super expensive... I hope Polyanalytik would be cheaper.