Poly(styrenesulfonic acid), sodium salt is a water-soluble anionic polyelectrolyte supplied as a low-molar-mass analytical standard with nominal Mw ~1,000. The material is the sodium salt of polystyrene sulfonate and is commonly referred to as sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSS).
This grade has a specified Mw/Mn of <1.20, with Mw reported on a lot-specific basis. It is used as a polymer reference standard in aqueous gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), particularly when calibration with a water-soluble ionic polymer is required.
Synonyms: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate; PSS; poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate); poly(styrenesulfonic acid), sodium salt.
Key Properties
- Product number: 24812
- Polymer class: Anionic sulfonate polyelectrolyte
- Chemical form: Sodium salt
- CAS number: 9080-79-9
- Nominal Mw: ~1,000
- Mw: Lot-specific reported value
- Molar-mass dispersity (Mw/Mn): <1.20
- Format: Analytical polymer standard
- Physical state: Solid
- Appearance: Off-white powder
- Package size: 250 mg
- Storage: 4°C
Applications
Aqueous GPC/SEC Calibration
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate standards are used for calibration of aqueous GPC/SEC columns and systems. Cat. #24812 provides a nominal Mw ~1,000 reference point with a specified Mw/Mn of <1.20.
Polymer Molar-Mass Characterization
This low-Mw PSS standard may be incorporated into multi-point calibration sets used to characterize the molar-mass distribution of water-soluble polymers by aqueous GPC/SEC.
Analytical Use & Method Considerations
- The nominal Mw of ~1,000 represents an average molar-mass value and should not be interpreted as a single discrete molecular mass
- The lot-specific Mw should be used when the assigned value of the reference standard is required for calibration
- Mw/Mn <1.20 specifies the breadth of the molar-mass distribution
- Multi-point SEC calibration generally requires standards spanning the molar-mass range of interest
- Aqueous SEC of ionic polymers can be affected by electrostatic and other non-size-exclusion interactions
- Mobile-phase composition and ionic strength should be controlled to minimize secondary interactions with the stationary phase
- Conventional SEC calibration is relative to the hydrodynamic behavior of the calibration standard
Because SEC separates macromolecules primarily according to hydrodynamic volume, molar masses calculated from PSS calibration are method-relative. When chemically or conformationally different polymers are analyzed against a PSS calibration curve, the reported values may differ from absolute molar mass.
Additional sodium polystyrene sulfonate standards spanning a broader molar-mass range are available in the Poly(styrene sulfonate sodium) Standards series.
Application Tips
- Use the lot-specific Mw value when preparing quantitative calibration curves
- Select standards that bracket the molar-mass range of the samples being analyzed
- Keep mobile-phase composition, ionic strength, flow rate, column set, and temperature consistent throughout calibration and sample analysis
- Evaluate chromatographic conditions for non-size-exclusion interactions when analyzing ionic polymers
- Prepare calibration solutions using the solvent and concentration specified by the validated GPC/SEC method
- Use matching polymer standards or an appropriate alternative calibration or detection strategy when absolute molar mass is required
Handling & Storage
- Store at 4°C
- Store in a well-ventilated location and keep cool
- Use with adequate laboratory ventilation
- Wear protective gloves, safety glasses, and suitable protective clothing
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FAQ
Click a question to expand.
1. What is poly(styrenesulfonic acid), sodium salt?
It is the sodium salt form of polystyrene sulfonate. The polymer contains sulfonate groups associated with sodium counterions and behaves as an anionic polyelectrolyte in aqueous systems.
2. Is this material also called sodium polystyrene sulfonate or PSS?
Yes. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) are commonly used names for this polymer class.
3. Is sodium polystyrene sulfonate the same as poly(styrenesulfonic acid)?
No. Poly(styrenesulfonic acid) refers to the protonated acid form. Cat. #24812 is the sodium salt, in which the sulfonate groups are associated with sodium counterions.
4. Is this sodium 4-styrenesulfonate monomer?
No. This material is polymeric sodium polystyrene sulfonate. It is not the sodium styrenesulfonate monomer.
5. What is the molecular weight of Cat. #24812?
The nominal Mw is approximately 1,000. The actual Mw is reported on a lot-specific basis.
6. What does Mw/Mn <1.20 mean?
Mw/Mn is the molar-mass dispersity, describing the breadth of the polymer molar-mass distribution. Cat. #24812 has a specified Mw/Mn below 1.20.
7. Why is “dispersity” used instead of “PDI”?
Dispersity is the current IUPAC terminology for the ratio Mw/Mn. The term “polydispersity index” is discouraged for this quantity.
8. Can this PSS standard be used for aqueous GPC/SEC?
Yes. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate standards are used for aqueous GPC/SEC column and system calibration. Ionic interactions should be controlled through appropriate mobile-phase conditions.
9. Does PSS calibration provide absolute molecular weight for every polymer?
No. Conventional GPC/SEC calibration is based on hydrodynamic volume. When the analyzed polymer differs chemically or conformationally from PSS, the resulting molar masses are relative to the PSS calibration and may differ from absolute values.
10. Is one Mw ~1,000 standard sufficient for a full GPC/SEC calibration?
A multi-point calibration normally uses several standards spanning the molar-mass range of interest. Additional grades are available in the Poly(styrene sulfonate sodium) Standards series.
11. What is the CAS number for Cat. #24812?
The CAS number is 9080-79-9.
12. What form and package size are available?
Cat. #24812 is an off-white solid powder supplied in a 250 mg package.
13. How should the PSS standard be stored?
Store at 4°C.
14. Can larger quantities be requested?
For quantities beyond the standard offering, use the bulk-quote option.
Safety & Documentation
Review the Product Specification for the lot-specific Mw and Mw/Mn specification and the Safety Data Sheet for current handling, storage, and safety information. Additional molecular-weight standards are available in the Poly(styrene sulfonate sodium) Standards collection.
