Hallmark-Haack Brittany, Middleton Joshua, Rodrigues Ana Luiza, Forrester Michael, Williams R Christopher, Cochran Eric
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University Ames IA 50011 USA
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University Ames IA 50011 USA.
RSC Adv. 2025 Mar 28;15(13):9594-9604. doi: 10.1039/d4ra09045d.
Bitumen, a crucial component of asphalt pavements, exhibits complex chemical properties that influence its performance. Traditional methods for separating bitumen into saturate, aromatic, resin, and asphaltene (SARA) fractions often suffer from limitations such as low efficiency and insufficient sample recovery. Here, we present a novel approach using flash chromatography to address these challenges. Our automated technique offers rapid and efficient separation of bitumen into fractions, enabling comprehensive characterization. To identify the most suitable column for bitumen characterization, we tested four different commercial columns packed with various stationary phases. By analyzing the separated fractions using analytical chemistry techniques and rheology testing, we demonstrated that each column type exhibits unique separation capabilities. Among the tested columns, the C18 column proved to be particularly valuable for obtaining comprehensive insights into the overall molecular structure and properties of bitumen. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of bitumen's molecular structure and its potential for developing higher-performing and longer-lasting asphalt pavements.
沥青是沥青路面的关键成分，具有复杂的化学性质，会影响其性能。将沥青分离为饱和烃、芳烃、树脂和沥青质（SARA）馏分的传统方法往往存在效率低和样品回收率不足等局限性。在此，我们提出一种使用快速色谱法来应对这些挑战的新方法。我们的自动化技术能快速、高效地将沥青分离成馏分，从而实现全面表征。为确定用于沥青表征的最合适色谱柱，我们测试了四种填充不同固定相的不同商用色谱柱。通过使用分析化学技术和流变学测试分析分离出的馏分，我们证明每种色谱柱类型都具有独特的分离能力。在测试的色谱柱中，C18色谱柱被证明对于全面了解沥青的整体分子结构和性质特别有价值。这项研究有助于更深入地了解沥青的分子结构及其在开发高性能、持久沥青路面方面的潜力。
