Particulate Characterization: Inverse Gas Chromatography

Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) represents a unique reRnement of a classic chromatographic method in which an unknown solid material such as a powder, Rbre or Rlm may be characterized. By reversing the traditional role of unknown mobile phases and known reference stationary phases, the gas}solid chromatographic retention processes may be used to characterize an unknown particulate sample by eluting a series of known gas or vapour molecules through a column packed with the sample materials. IGC is the only chromatographic technique in which a solid-state material may be characterized in its native state. Despite the fact that over 500 papers have been published over the last 8 years using IGC, the technique is still not well known nor well appreciated by many scientists. However, this article will highlight the opportunities that IGC offers for surface and materials characterization generally as well as brieSy reviewing the principles and main IGC methodologies. Finally, recent trends in material characterization applications will be brieSy reviewed.