GRAPHITIZED CARBON-BLACK - A UNIQUE ADSORBENT FOR GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY AND RELATED TECHNIQUES

The properties of graphitized carbon blacks which have been exploited in gas chromatography and related techniques, are reviewed together with some of the many applications accomplished in the last twenty years. Graphitized carbon blacks are non-specific, years. Graphitized carbon blacks are non-specific, non-porous adsorbents, characterized by a high surface homogeneity. These adsorbents can therefore be used in gas-solid chromatography even for the elution of polar compounds, though gas-liquid-solid chromatography is the main field of application. In fact, by changing the type and amount of liquid modifier, highly selective and efficient (packed or capillary) columns, tailored for the separation of very complex mixtures, can be prepared. Graphitized carbon blacks also possess hydrophobic properties so that they can be efficiently used for the trapping and the preconcentration of organic compounds contained in air and water samples.