Wyatt SEC-MALS – GlycoMIP

Shimadzu HPLC system coupled to Wyatt DAWN 8 multi-angle light scattering detector and Optilab refractive index detector for SEC analysis — Shimadzu HPLC system coupled with Wyatt DAWN 8 multi‑angle light scattering (MALS) and Optilab refractive index (RI) detectors for size‑exclusion chromatography (SEC).

Overview

Determination of the molecular weight and size of macromolecules such as polymers, polysaccharides, and glycomaterials requires both chromatographic separation and absolute, calibration free detection. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC), performed
using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), separates analytes based on hydrodynamic volume. Downstream detection using multi angle light scattering (MALS) and refractive index (RI) measurements enables direct determination of size based
physical properties.

The GlycoMIP SEC MALS system integrates a Wyatt DAWN 8 MALS detector with a Wyatt Optilab refractive index detector. Together, these detectors provide absolute molar mass, size, and concentration measurements of separated species in solution without
reliance on column calibration standards.

Description

This system combines a Shimadzu Nexera Series HPLC with Wyatt DAWN 8 multi-angle light scattering and Optilab refractive index detectors to support advanced SEC/GPC analysis. Samples may be analyzed in both aqueous and organic solvent systems.

The DAWN 8 MALS detector measures scattered light intensity at multiple angles to determine absolute weight average molecular weight (Mw) and root mean square radius of macromolecules.

The Optilab refractive index detector provides simultaneous differential and absolute refractive index measurements. This data is used in conjunction with MALS to calculate instantaneous concentration and the refractive index increment (dn/dc) of macromolecules, enabling the determination of absolute molecular distributions, including number average molecular weight (M_n) and dispersity (D).

Applications

Measurement of specific refractive index increment (dn/dc)
Static Light Scattering (SLS) experiments
- Radius of gyration of polymeric chains (R_g)
- Second virial coefficient (A₂)
Absolute molecular weight determination of polymers and glycopolymers
- Aqueous: 500 – 2,000,000 g/mol
- Organic: 200 – 2,000,000 g/mol(CHCl₃, THF, toluene)

Instrument Status:
Available

User Access:
This SEC‑MALS system is a GlycoMIP‑supported resource and is available to
approved users through the GlycoMIP user facility.

For access to this equipment and other GlycoMIP services, please
visit the User Portal.