Conformational transitions of macromolecules in an eluent flow and their manifestation in the chromatography of polymers

The behaviour of macromolecules in a free eluent flow, in a confined space and in a flow passing through a pore system is considered. It is shown that the behaviour of molecules in a flow can be described by various theories (De Gennes, DiMarzio and Guttman theories). Specific features of chromatographic fractionation and membrane separation of ultrahigh molecular mass polymers, which are widely used as constructional materials, are discussed. These features are interpreted in terms of theoretical models that consider conformational transitions of macromolecules in the eluent flow and take into account the possible degradation of macromolecules under the action of the flow. The state of the art of theoretical and experimental studies of the behaviour of macromolecules in a fluid flow is surveyed.
Bibliography — 152 references.