Chapter 2.7 Structure and properties of the films formed by organic substances on silica gel surface. Investigations by inverse gas chromatography (IGC)

Abstract

Publisher Summary Gas chromatography has come into existence as an analytical method. The separation of analyzed liquid or gaseous mixtures is the result of the difference in partition coefficients of their components between the gas (mobile) phase and liquid or solid surface (stationary phase). Depending on the kind of stationary phase the method is called “partition” or “adsorption” chromatography. The retention volume, defined as the volume of mobile phase causing the elution of the sample from the chromatographic column, is the value characterizing the interaction between the solute and stationary phase. Inverse gas chromatography has been successfully applied in various fields of research for many years. In 1962, Scott showed its applicability in the investigation of melting of organic substances. Next, Guillet employed this method for researches of the phase transitions occurring in polymers, and Kelker and Schivitzhoffen investigated the phase transitions in liquid crystals. Inverse gas chromatography was also used for phase transitions characterization in solids. In the last years, the properties of polymers were often investigated by inverse gas chromatography. Also, the liquid stationary phases for gas chromatography were characterized and classified by inverse gas chromatography (IGC). This chromatographic method is frequently used for determination of the solid surface properties, for example for estimation of dispersion and non-dispersion components of surface free energy. It seems, however, that the most interesting results were achieved by inverse gas chromatography in the investigation of the properties of mono- and polymolecular films of organic substances on the surface of porous adsorbents.