Waters CQUITY ADVANCED POLYMER CHROMATOGRAPHY SYSTEM

Significance of Topic

Advances in polymer research require fast, high-resolution techniques to characterize complex macromolecules efficiently.
Traditional GPC/SEC methods are limited by resolution, analysis time, and solvent consumption, challenging innovation and sustainability goals.

Objectives and Study Overview

This whitepaper introduces the Waters ACQUITY Advanced Polymer Chromatography (APC) System as a next-generation solution.
It aims to deliver superior separation speed, resolution, and flexibility for aqueous and organic polymer analyses, accelerating time-to-market and reducing carbon footprint.

Methodology and Used Instrumentation

The APC System integrates low-dispersion fluidics, a high-performance refractive index detector, sub-3 µm BEH polymer columns, and a Polymer Quaternary Solvent Manager for automated solvent switching.
The system includes:

• ACQUITY APC modules optimized for low dispersion and flow stability
• Hybrid polymer BEH columns (45 Å to 900 Å pore sizes) with eCord tracking
• Waters Fraction Manager–Analytical (WFM-A) for automated fraction collection
• Empower 3 chromatography software for method control and data processing
• Compatibility with third-party detectors (light scattering, viscometry)

Main Results and Discussion

Compared to conventional GPC, the APC system achieves:

• 5–20× faster analysis times with equal or improved resolution
• Stable molecular weight determinations over hundreds of injections (RSD < 0.2%)
• Enhanced sensitivity to low-molecular-weight oligomers and narrow polydispersity distributions
• Efficient multi-solvent, multi-column bank operations without manual changeovers

Sample data demonstrate high reproducibility for epoxy resins and copolymer blends across solvent cycles.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The APC System streamlines polymer characterization workflows by reducing solvent use, analysis cost, and downtime.
It supports corporate goals such as green initiatives, productivity improvement, and intellectual property protection.
Applications range from routine QC to advanced research on high-performance and sustainable materials.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Integration with advanced multimodal detection (multi-angle light scattering, viscometry) will further elucidate polymer structure–property relationships.
Automated method screening and data analytics tools will shorten development cycles.
Emerging demands for bio-based and degradable polymers will benefit from high-throughput, high-resolution APC analyses.

Conclusion

The Waters ACQUITY APC System represents a significant evolution beyond traditional GPC, offering unmatched speed, resolution, and operational flexibility for modern polymer laboratories.
It empowers researchers and QC teams to achieve deeper insights and faster decision-making while supporting sustainability and cost efficiency.