Synthetic polymers have complex molecular structures with distributions in molar mass, chemical composition, functionality and molecular topology. For the comprehensive analysis of polymer structures, a number of advanced spectroscopic and fractionation techniques are used. For the fractionation of polymers, most frequently column-based methods are applied. These are of limited value for the separation of very high molar mass and fragile analytes. Thermal field-flow fractionation (ThFFF) as a channel-based method has developed into a powerful alternative and complementary technique to column-based fractionations. This perspective discusses novel applications of ThFFF and highlights its potential for the fractionation of polymer assemblies such as micelles, vesicles and nanogels.

合成聚合物具有复杂的分子结构，在摩尔质量，化学组成，官能度和分子拓扑结构方面具有分布。为了全面分析聚合物结构，使用了许多先进的光谱和分馏技术。对于聚合物的分馏，最常用的是基于色谱柱的方法。这些对于分离非常高的摩尔质量和易碎的分析物具有有限的价值。作为基于通道的方法，热场流分馏（ThFFF）已发展成为基于柱的分馏的强大替代技术和补充技术。该观点讨论了ThFFF的新应用，并强调了其在聚合物组装（如胶束，囊泡和纳米凝胶）分离方面的潜力。