Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => Analytical Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: mazing on March 20, 2018, 08:32:22 PM

Title: What would be the most appropriate method to measure polymer degradation time?
Post by: mazing on March 20, 2018, 08:32:22 PM

I'm trying to find the best way to measure the time of degradation of different polymers (blends of PVA, pullulan, and gelatin) in water. I've been searching and reading papers but most of what i've found are methods to measure drug release from these polymers (NMR, HPLC), can these methods be used to measure just the polymer degradation? Or should i go by measuring viscosity/some other property?

Title: Re: What would be the most appropriate method to measure polymer degradation time?
Post by: wildfyr on March 20, 2018, 09:09:22 PM

Define "degradation." Polymers can degrade in many ways. Hydrolysis, side chain oxidation, etc.

Also, if youre looking at a mix, one polymer can degrade while the others stay untouched.