Inverse Gas Chromatography Method Research Articles

A novel application of inverse gas chromatography for estimating contact angles in porous media

HypothesisSurface wettability is a critical factor in multi-phase flow within porous media, a processes essential in various applications e.g. in the energy sector. Traditional methods for assessing wettability of porous media by contact angle measurements, such as sessile droplet and micro-CT techniques, are limited by interface pinning, sample size or resolution impacting precision and accuracy. We hypothesized that using smaller and unconstrained probes, specifically gas molecules, to retrieve interactions along a representative sample size via inverse gas chromatography (IGC) could provide a more accurate determination of contact angles. MethodWe propose a procedure to relate IGC results with macro-scale wettability descriptions, such as the Young equation. To test the effectiveness of IGC method, glass bead samples with varying wettability, modified through a silanization process, were prepared. Contact angles for a distilled water-air-sample system were measured using the sessile droplet method and micro-CT for comparative analysis. IGC was employed to determine the surface energy components of these samples, which were then used in the extended Young-Dupré equation to calculate the contact angles. FindingsThe contact angle ranges determined by IGC and micro-CT for untreated glass beads, the most hydrophilic samples, showed great alignment. This consistency is attributed to the chemical amorphous nature of the untreated beads reflected in the assumption that dispersive and specific energetic components of surface sites are uncorrelated, on which the proposed analysis is based. For treated samples, where the silanization process creates correlations between surface energetic components, the alignment between IGC and micro-CT results was less precise. This study successfully demonstrated that IGC, a molecular-scale probe-based technique, can effectively determine the contact angle range, a macroscopic property, for amorphous samples. Future work should incorporate correlations between energetic components of surface detected by IGC to extend this method's applicability to a wider material range.

Thermodynamic properties of TPAC-EG deep eutectic solvents: A study based on the IGC method with molecular simulations

The study of thermodynamic properties and intermolecular interactions in deep eutectic solvents (DES) is an important innovative step in the development of DES. This research focuses on the synthesis of DES using a 1:2 M ratio of tetrapropylammonium chloride and ethylene glycol. Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) techniques are used to investigate DES of thermodynamics in the temperature range of 303.15–333.15 K. Additionally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and density functional theory (DFT) are used to explore intermolecular interactions in DES at both molecular and atomic levels. The research findings yield crucial insights, including the successful determination of infinite dilution activity coefficients, Flory-Huggin’s interaction parameters, solubility parameters, and Abraham solvation parameters of DES through IGC techniques. A careful study of the temperature-dependent trends in these parameters is provided. Analyses of structural properties, including radial distribution functions, hydrogen bond counts, and thermal fluctuation indices, reveal that, at experiments temperatures, the amount and nature of intermolecular hydrogen bonds in binary mixtures are the main factors influencing the thermodynamic properties of DES. Finally, based on DFT calculations, a quantitative assessment of the molecular interaction mechanisms of DES at the atomic level confirms the predominant role of hydrogen bonding in DES formation, with multicenter hydrogen bonds characterized by stronger hydrogen bond strengths emerging as the primary type.

Investigation of Physicochemical Characteristics of Aspergillus niger Biomass and Examination of Its Ability to Separate Butyl Acetate Isomers.

Aspergillus niger is a species of fungus that is widely found in natural ecosystems and has an important role in various industrial fields and is readily available. To study the adhesion of microbial cells to solid substrates and to improve their properties, physicochemical characterization of microorganisms is extremely important. For this purpose, in this study, the surface properties of A. niger biomass were determined at low cost and with high accuracy by inverse gas chromatography (IGC), a physicochemical characterization technique. IGC experiments were conducted between 303.2 and 328.2K at infinite dilution. Among these temperatures, various organic solvent vapors were passed over the A. niger biomass considered as stationary phase and their retention behavior was studied. Using the raw data, net retention volumes were calculated and retention diagrams were drawn. From the linear retention diagrams, the dispersive surface energy was calculated according to Dorris-Gray (48.73-46.09 mJ/m2), Donnet-Park (47.12-44.50 mJ/m2), Schultz (46.88-42.45 mJ/m2), and Hamieh (76.42-64.06 mJ/m2) methods. With the IGC method, the acidity-basicity parameters of A. niger biomass were determined and it was found that the surface was basic ( ). In the second part of this study, the butyl acetate isomer series, which are difficult to be separated by conventional methods, were effectively separated by the IGC method using A. niger stationary phase.

Determination of thermodynamic properties and phase transition temperatures of phenylbenzoate-based calamitic liquid crystals by inverse gas chromatography method

ABSTRACT In this study, Phenylbenzoate-based calamitic liquid crystals (LCs) were synthesized and characterized, and then the thermodynamic properties and phase transition temperatures were investigated by inverse gas chromatography (IGC) at infinite dilution. The phase transition temperatures of the LCs were determined in the range of 40–170°C by the IGC method. Finally, in the thermodynamic equilibrium region (the range of 160–200°C), Flory-Huggins theory and the equation of state theory with the LC-solvent interaction parameters, the effective exchange energy parameters, the weight fraction activity coefficient, and also the partial molar heat of mixing at infinite dilution of solvent, the molar heat of vaporization of solvent, and the partial molar heat of sorption of solvent were calculated.

Study of surface thermodynamic properties of some boron compounds by inverse gas chromatography at infinite dilution

This paper is devoted to the determination of the dispersive component of the surface energy of two boron materials such as h-BN and BPO4 surfaces by using the inverse gas chromatography (IGC) at infinite dilution. The specific interactions and Lewis’s acid-base parameters of these materials were calculated on the light of the new thermal model concerning the dependency of the surface area of organic molecules on the temperature, and by using also the classical methods of the inverse gas chromatography as well as the different molecular models such as Van der Waals, Redlich-Kwong, Kiselev, geometric, Gray, spherical, cylindrical and Hamieh models. It was proved that h-BN surface exhibits higher dispersive surface energy than BPO4 material.The specific properties of interaction of the two boron materials were determined. The results obtained by using the new thermal model taking into account the effect of the temperature on the surface area of molecules, proved that the classical IGC methods, gave inaccurate values of the specific parameters and Lewis’s acid base constants of the solid surfaces. The use of the thermal model allowed to conclude that h-BN surface has a Lewis basicity twice stronger than its acidity, whereas, BPO4 surface presents an amphoteric character.

Solvent pre-selection for binary mixtures based on the activity coefficient at infinite dilution in deep eutectic solvent: Tetraethylammonium chloride+ Ethylene glycol

The values of activity coefficient at infinite dilution (γ12∞) were reported for 27 solutes in tetraethylammonium chloride + ethylene glycol deep eutectic solvent (DES) system at a molar ratio of 1.000:1.997 by inverse gas chromatography (IGC) method at intervals of 10 K from 303.15 to 333.15 K. Then the measured γ12∞ values were used to determine the thermodynamic functions (ΔH1E,∞, ΔS1E,∞, and ΔG1E,∞). The values of selectivity (Sij∞) and capacity (kj∞) for six extraction problems (that is, heptane/toluene, benzene/methanol, heptane/thiophene, acetone/ethanol, cyclohexane/benzene, and cyclohexane/ethanol.) were calculated from experimental γ12∞ values and compared with literature values of other solvents under the same separation conditions. The results indicate that the studied DES is a potential extractant for separation of cyclohexane/ethanol and heptane/thiophene systems. The Flory-Huggins interaction parameters (χ12∞) were used to evaluate the miscibility between DES and organic probes, and the results reveal that alcohols exhibited the best solubility in tested DES. Furthermore, the Hildebrand solubility parameters (δ2) were calculated for tested DES, and the values of δ2 decreased with the increase of temperature.

Thermodynamic Characterization of Polyetherimide/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites.

The aim of this study is to examine the interactions of composite materials obtained by adding single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) to polyetherimide (ULTEM) in different weight ratios with various organic solvents, and to evaluate the solubility of composites in these organic solvents. The characterization of prepared composites was performed with SEM analysis. Thermodynamic properties of ULTEM/SWCNT composites were determined by the inverse gas chromatography (IGC) method at 260-285°C in infinite dilution. According to the IGC method, the retention behaviors were examined by passing different organic solvent vapors over the composites used as stationary phase, and retention diagrams were drawn using the obtained retention data. Thermodynamic parameters including Flory-Huggins interaction parameters (${\chi}_{12}^{\infty }$), equation of state interaction parameters (${\chi}_{12}^{\ast }$), weight fraction activity coefficients in infinite dilution (${\Omega}_1^{\infty }$), effective exchange energy parameters (${\chi}_{\mathrm{eff}}$), partial molar sorption enthalpies ($\Delta{\overline{H}}_1^S$), partial molar dissolution enthalpies in infinite dilution ($\Delta{\overline{H}}_1^{\infty }$) and molar evaporation enthalpies ($\Delta{\overline{H}}_v$) were calculated using the linear retention diagrams. According to ${\chi}_{12}^{\infty }$, ${\chi}_{12}^{\ast }$, ${\Omega}_1^{\infty }$ and ${\chi}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ values, organic solvents were found to be poor solvents for composites at all temperatures. Besides, the solubility parameters of composites were determined by IGC method at infinite dilution.

Insights of the adsorbents surface chemical properties effect on water adsorption isotherms

The usage of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as adsorbent materials for adsorption-based heat transformation applications is gaining popularity among the research society due to their S-shaped water adsorption isotherms. Apart from the S-shaped isotherms, there are other two key features that need to be kept in mind when working with MOF/water pair, namely the equilibrium uptake and the hydrophobic length of the water adsorption isotherms. Therefore, in this study, three different metal organic frameworks, namely MOF–801, aluminum fumarate, and MIL–100(Fe), are synthesized, and water adsorption onto these adsorbents is measured thermogravimetrically. Utilizing the four-step temperature swing adsorption process, the entropy generation in each step is calculated for each pair. Surface properties of the MOFs are measured using the inverse gas chromatography method. We explicitly demonstrated the relation between surface energy components of the adsorbents and their respective water adsorption isotherms. It has been found that the equilibrium uptake is proportional to the surfaces’ work of adhesions, while the hydrophobic length shows a relation with the surface acid-base properties. This information is crucial for designing an optimum MOF adsorbent for an efficient adsorption-based heat transformation application.

Comparative study of nitrogen doped multi walled carbon nanotubes grafted with carboxy methyl cellulose hybrid composite by inverse gas chromatography and its UV photo detectors application

In this present work, the synthesis of nitrogen doped multi walled carbon nanotubes (N-MWCNTs) grafted Sodium-carboxy methyl cellulose (Na-CMC) hybrid composite was carried out via thermal reduction process. The hybrid composites were thermodynamically characterized by inverse gas chromatography (IGC) and compared to Na-CMC particles. The results were obtained by using 14 different IGC methods and models. We proved that the free energy of adsorption of the different solvents on N-MWCNTs-Na-CMC surface was equal to the summation of both free enthalpies of the solvents separately adsorbed on N-MWCNT and on Na-CMC surfaces. The London dispersive surface free energy of different materials was calculated by using the various molecular models. The more precise results were obtained by Hamieh model based on the effect of the temperature on the surface area of organic molecules. It was proved that the dispersive component of the surface energy of N-MWCNTs-Na-CMC was equal to the geometric mean than that of N-MWCNTs and Na-CMC surfaces. Lewis Acid base properties of the various materials were determined by using the different models and methods. A stronger basic character was highlighted for the different solid surfaces with more accentuated acid base character for N-MWCNT solid. Furthermore, the potential usage of the hybrid nanocomposite was studied for the practical application of the self-powered UV photodetection. On the other hand, the N-MWCNTs-Na-CMC hybrid heterostructure N-MWCNTs-Na-CMC exhibited excellent photoresponse characteristics with a good stability and reproducibility under the UV illumination (λ=382 nm) at zero bias. The high photoresponse performances were mainly attributed to the improved conductivity and enhanced charge transfer resulting from the synergetic effect of N-MWCNTs-Na-CMC hybrid heterostructure. The detailed photoresponse properties of the N-MWCNTs-Na-CMC hybrid heterostructure was discussed in detail using energy band theory.

Investigation of the Surface Properties of Hexagonal Boron Nitride and Boron Phosphate by Inverse Gas Chromatography at Infinite Dilution.

The boron-based ceramics namely hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and boron phosphate (BPO4) were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The surface properties of h-BN and BPO4 were examined by inverse gas chromatography method. The dispersive surface energy and the acidic-basic character of h-BN, and BPO4 surfaces were estimated by the retention time with probes such as n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane, n-decane, acetone, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, chloroform and tetrahydrofuran at infinite dilution region. The dispersive surface free energies calculated using both Schultz and Dorris-Gray methods, decreased linearly with increasing temperature. The specific adsorption free energy and the specific adsorption enthalpy corresponding to acid-base surface interactions were determined. By correlating with the donor and acceptor numbers of the probes, the acidic and the basic parameters of the h-BN and BPO4 were calculated. The values obtained for and parameters indicated that h-BN has a basic character, whereas BPO4 has an acidic character.

Surface thermodynamics and Lewis acid-base properties of metal-organic framework Crystals by Inverse gas chromatography at infinite dilution

In this study, the surface thermodynamic properties and more particularly, the dispersive component γsd of the surface energy of crystals of a Zr-based MOF, UiO-66 (Zr6O4(OH)4(BDC)6; BDC = benzene 1,4-dicarboxylic acid), the specific interactions, and their acid-base constants were determined by using different molecular models and inverse gas chromatography methods. The determination of γsd of the UiO-66 surface was obtained by using several models such as Dorris-Gray and those based on the Fowkes relation by applying the various molecular models giving the surface areas of n-alkanes and polar organic molecules. Six models were used: Kiselev, spherical, geometric, Van der Waals, Redlich-Kwong, and cylindrical models. The obtained results were corrected by using our model taking into account the thermal effect on the surface areas of molecules. A linear equation was obtained between γsd and the temperature.The specific free energy, enthalpy and entropy of adsorption of polar molecules, as well as the acid and base constants of UiO-66 particles were determined with an excellent precision.It was also proved that the UiO-66 surface exhibited an amphoteric acid-base character with stronger acidity. The linear variations of the specific free energy of interaction as a function of the temperature allowed to obtain the specific surface enthalpy and entropy of adsorption, as well as the acid and base constants of UiO-66 by using ten different models and methods. The best results were obtained by using our model that gave the more precise values of the acid constant KA=0.57, the base constant KD=0.18 of the MOF particles and the ratio KA/KD = 3.14 clearly proving a strong acid character of the UiO-66 surface.

Inverse Gas Chromatography as a Screening Technique for Henry’s Law Constants of Gases in Ionic Liquids

Henry’s law constants of various gases in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([bmim][Tf2N]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([emim][Tf2N]), 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([allylmim][Tf2N]), and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate ([emim][EtSO4]) were measured using an inverse gas chromatography (GC) method. The gases explored were carbon dioxide, ethane, ethylene, propane, and propylene at temperatures ranging from 298.15 to 373.15 K. The temperature dependence of the Henry’s law constants was used to determine the standard enthalpies of absorption of the gases in the ionic liquids (ILs). Comparison of our measured values of Henry’s law constants and enthalpies with the literature leads to the conclusion that the GC method is a fast technique for screening ILs for various gas separation applications.

Removal of Safranine T by a highly efficient adsorbent (Cotinus Coggygria leaves): Isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamics, and surface properties

Leaf-based adsorbents have attracted many researchers due to their low cost, high efficiency, and high adsorption capacity. In the present study, the performance of Cotinus Coggygria leaves on the adsorptive removal of Safranine T dye from an aqueous solution was investigated. Before the adsorption studies, the inverse gas chromatography (IGC) method was performed to observe the surface properties of Cotinus Coggygria, for the first time. With the data obtained from IGC analysis, the acidity/basicity degree of the adsorbent surface and the required conditions for the highest adsorption capacity were determined. The surface of the leaves was found to have a basic characteristic. The adsorption studies were carried out under different parameters including contact time, temperature, pH, initial dye concentration, and adsorbent dosage. The maximum percentage of Safranine T was obtained as 93.62% at pH = 7 and 55 °C. The different isotherms were applied namely Langmuir, Freundlich, D-R, Harkins-Jura, and Temkin isotherm models. From the correlation coefficients, it was obtained that the adsorption took place in agreement with the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption capacity showed the maximum at 2000 mg/g in pH = 7 at 55 °C. As a result of the kinetic studies, it was seen that adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. When thermodynamic parameters were obtained, it was seen that the adsorption occurred exothermically and spontaneously. This study suggests that Cotinus Coggygria leaves are highly efficient biobased materials as an adsorbent.

Synthesis and Comprehensive Study of Quaternary-Ammonium-Based Sorbents for Natural Gas Sweetening

The present study provides a solvent-free organic synthesis of quaternary ammonium salts: bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dimethylammonium taurate ([BHEDMA][Tau]) and bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dimethylammonium acetate ([BHEDMA][OAc]). These ionic compounds are promising materials for carbon dioxide capture processes, as mono sorbents, supplemental components in the conventional process of chemical absorption, and in the combined membrane approach for improving sorption efficiency. The synthesized compounds were characterized by 1H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies and elemental analysis. Afterward, the sorption properties of the compounds were evaluated using the inverse gas chromatography (IGC) method, and their thermodynamic parameters were calculated in the temperature range of 303.15–333.15 K. The enthalpy change (∆sH) was less than 80 kJ·mol−1, indicated by the physical nature of sorption and also proved by FT-IR. Henry’s law constant in regard to carbon dioxide at 303.15 K was equal to 4.76 MPa for [BHEDMA][Tau], being almost 2.5 lower than for [BHEDMA][OAc] (11.55 MPa). The calculated carbon dioxide sorption capacity for [BHEDMA][Tau] and [BHEDMA][OAc] amounted to 0.58 and 0.30 mmol·g−1, respectively. The obtained parameters are comparable with the known solid sorbents and ionic liquids used for CO2 capture. However, the synthesized compounds, combining the advantages of both alkanolamines and ionic liquids, contain no fluorine in their structure and thus match the principles of environmental care.

Surface thermodynamic properties of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose by inverse gas chromatography

This study constitutes a new development of surface thermodynamic methods to determine the London dispersive surface free energy component γsd, the specific free energy of adsorption and the Lewis acid-base properties of polymers by using inverse gas chromatography (IGC) at infinite dilution. The net retention volumes Vn of n-alkanes and polar solvents adsorbed on a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC) polymer surface were determined at four temperatures 313.15K, 323.15K, 333.15 and -343.15K by IGC technique The London dispersive surface free energy component of Na-CMC was determined by using Dorris-Gray and Dorris-Gray-Hamieh methods, Van der Waals, Redlich-Kwong, Kiselev, geometric, cylindrical, spherical and Hamieh models. The more accurate value of γsd of Na-CMC was obtained by Hamieh model taking into account the thermal effect on the surface areas of molecules: γsd(T)(mJ/m2)=−0.630T(K)+229.01 showing a maximal temperature TMax = 91°C that can be considered as a new characteristic of the Na-CMC polymer. Above TMax, there is no dispersive component of the surface energy of the polymer surface.The specific interactions of Na-CMC particles were determined by using the various molecular models, and the vapor pressure, the boiling point, the topological index and the deformation polarization IGC methods. The obtained results clearly showed a strong Lewis basicity of Na-CMC (about seven times more basic than acidic polymer surface). It was proved that the IGC methods and models do not give similar results. The thermal model gave the most accurate result of the Lewis acid-base properties of Na-CMC surface.

Quantitative Study on Solubility Parameters and Related Thermodynamic Parameters of PVA with Different Alcoholysis Degrees.

In recent years, inverse gas chromatography (IGC) and molecular dynamics simulation methods have been used to characterize the solubility parameters and surface parameters of polymers, which can provide quantitative reference for the further study of the surface and interface compatibility of polymer components in the future. In this paper, the solubility parameters and surface parameters of two kinds of common alcoholysis, PVA88 and PVA99, are studied by using the IGC method. The accuracy of the solubility parameters obtained by the IGC experiment is verified by molecular dynamics simulation. On the basis of this, the influence of repeated units of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on solubility parameters is studied, so as to determine the appropriate chain length of the PVA for simulation verification calculation. The results show that the solubility parameters are not much different when the PVA chain length is 30 and above; the numerical trends of the solubility parameters of PVA88 and PVA99 at room temperature are the same as the results of molecular dynamics simulation; the dispersive surface energy and the specific surface energy are scattered with the temperature distribution and have a small dependence on temperature. On the whole, the surface energy of PVA99 with a higher alcoholysis degree is higher than that of PVA88 with a lower alcoholysis degree. The surface specific adsorption free energy () indicates that both PVA88 and PVA99 are amphoteric meta-acid materials, and the acidity of PVA99 is stronger.

Application of inverse gas chromatography in the surface characterization of diethanol amine modified polystyrene based polymer.

In the present work, diethanol amine modified polystyrene based polymer (PVBC-Diethanol amine) was synthesized and characterized, then surface properties of the polymer were examined by inverse gas chromatography method at infinite dilution. The retention diagrams obtained based on the interaction of polar and nonpolar probes with the polymer were drawn over a temperature range from 30 to 55 °C. Through the diagrams, the dispersive component of the surface free energy, g S D of the polymer surface, and the specific enthalpy of adsorption, DH A S , of probes on the polymer were also calculated. Lewis acid, K A , and Lewis base, K D , parameters of PVBC-Diethanol amine surface were determined. The values of K A and K D indicated that PVBC-Diethanol amine surface exhibited a basic behavior.

Surface characterization and synthesis of boron carbide and silicon carbide

Knowing the surface properties of ceramic materials is important to determine the area of use. The carbide-based ceramics namely boron carbide and silicon carbide were synthesized and characterized. The surface properties of boron carbide and silicon carbide ceramic materials were examined by the inverse gas chromatography method. Experiments of inverse gas chromatography were carried out to determine the specific adsorption free energy and the specific adsorption enthalpy corresponding to the acid-base properties of both materials. The inverse gas chromatography measurements exhibited values of acidity constants of 0.137 and 0.086 and basic constants of 0.104 and 0.077 for boron carbide and silicon carbide, respectively. The values obtained for and parameters indicated that boron carbide and silicon carbide have an acidic character.

New Methods for the Determination of the Surface Physicochemical Properties and Glass Transition of Polyaniline in Conducting and Non-Conducting Forms by Using Igc Technique at Infinite Dilution

Many studies were devoted in our Laboratory to the determination of physico-chemical and thermodynamic properties of polymers and/or oxides by using the inverse gas chromatography (IGC) at infinite dilution. More particularly, we studied the interactions of solid substrates with some model organic molecules and their acid-base properties, in Lewis terms, by determining the acidic and basic constants. We proposed in this paper to study the surface thermodynamic energetics, transition phenomena, specific interactions and acid-base properties of both the conducting polyaniline (PANI-HEBSA) and the non-conducting form (PANI-EB) on the light of the new progresses of IGC methods. This technique was used to obtain the net retention volume Vn and then the dispersive free enthalpy of n-alkanes adsorbed on PANI. The curves of the dispersive component of the surface energy of n-alkanes adsorbed on PANI, as a function of the temperature highlighted the presence of two transition temperatures on 383K and 430K respectively for PANI-HEBSA and PANI-EB. There results were confirmed by the curves of RTlnVn =f(1/T) of n-alkanes. The determination of the specific free enthalpy of polar molecules adsorbed on PANI proved a shift of 4K in the value of the glass transition of PANI-EB. From the variation of as a function of the temperature, one deduced the values of the specific enthalpy of the various polar molecules and determined the acidic constant KA and basic constant KD, the two constants characterizing the solid substrate. It was showed that PANI is highly more basic than acidic (about 2.6 times more basic) and an increase of the acid-base character was highlighted near the glass transition for PANI-EB.

Poly (phenyl sulfone)/graphite composite as a robust low-cost, comb-type interdigited sensor for detection of organic solvent vapors

An approach for quantitative detection of organic vapors is demonstrated. Herein, an interdigited electrode was fabricated by drop casting of graphite loaded poly(phenyl sulfone) (PPSU/Gr) film on a conductive substrate. The sensor is experimentally tested on several organic solvents including alkanes, acetates, aromatic hydrocarbons and chloroform via electrical resistance measurements and inverse gas chromatography (IGC) method. Relationships between the sensor response (as obtained by electrical resistance) and solvent properties such as polarity, acidity and partition coefficient (as obtained from IGC) are established. Moreover, the surface dispersive free energy of PPSU and PPSU/Gr were calculated according to both Dorris-Gray and Schultz equations, it is found that with the addition of graphite to PPSU the surface dispersive free energy of PPSU at 25 °C decreased from 28 to 10 mJ m−2 (from Dorris Gray approach) and from 25 to 17 mJ m−2 (from Schultz approach), suggesting higher interfacial area for exposed gases at PPSU/Gr sensor. Furthermore, the PPSU/Gr modified electrode exhibited high sensitivity towards chlorinated hydrocarbons. Importantly, the PPSU/Gr electrode showed good mechanical stability, low response time, and is costly-effective and disposable, rendering it a promising sensor for gases detection.