Thermal field flow fractionation (TF3) is an exciting technique that provides a highly efficient method of separating and characterizing complex polymer samples such as natural or synthetic rubbers, starches and paints from approximately 5 kDa up to 1000 MDa and more in organic and aqueous solvents. The TF3 technique uses a temperature gradient as the driving force for its separation of polymers and particles. Molecules affected by the thermal gradient undergo diffusion which enables separation by both their molar mass and chemical composition. This unique feature allows the separation of different materials having the same molar mass. The separation can be further optimized by the use of different eluents and various temperature programs. | 
