An Inverse Gas Chromatographic System for the Charaterization of Biopolymers

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In this proposal, funds for an inverse gas chromatographic (IGC) system with the associated accessories (e.g., computer hardware and software for data collection and analysis, a roto-evaporator for the preparation of IGC coulmns) are requested. IGC is a simple yet versatile technique that can be used to study miscibility of polymer solutions and blends, surface characteristics of inorganic solids and diffusivity of small molecules in polymers. The proposed IGC system will be used for the study of diffusivity of both inorganic and organic compounds (e.g., oxygen, water and low molecular weight organic solvents) in biopolymers such as acetoxypropyl xylan (APX) and block copolymers used in drug delivery systems. Here, APX is chemically modified wood product that can form smooth films. The preliminary results indicate that APX has a high potential to be used in many packaging applications. Therefore, its barrier properties need to be determined. And the proposed IGC system will be used for such a purpose.