Characterization of nanocarbons (nanotubes and nanofibers) by Inverse Gas Chromatography

The adsorption of different alkanes (linear and cyclic), aromatics and chlorohydrocarbons on non-microporous carbons-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibres (CNFs)- was studied in this work by inverse gas chromatography (IGC). Capacity of adsorption was derived from the isotherms of adsorption, whereas thermodynamic properties (enthalpy of adsorption, surface free energy characteristics) have been determined from chromatographic retention data. CNTs present the highest adsorption capacity. From surface free energy data, enthalpies of adsorption of polar compounds were divided into dispersive and specific contributions. The interactions of cyclic (benzene and cyclohexane) and chlorinated compounds (trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene and chloroform) with the surfaces are mainly dispersive over all the carbons tested, being CNTs the material with the highest dispersive contribution. Adsorption parameters were correlated with morphological and chemical properties of the materials