How Gas Chromatography work?

Like for all other chromatographic techniques, a mobile and a stationary phase are required.

• The mobile phase (carrier gas) is comprised of an inert gas e.g. helium, argon, nitrogen, etc.
• The stationary phase consists of a packed /capillary column where the packing or solid support itself acts as stationary phase, or is coated with the liquid stationary phase (high boiling polymer).
• More commonly used in many applications are capillary columns, where the stationary phase coats the walls of a small-diameter tube directly (e.g. 0.25 mm film in a 0.32 mm tube).
• The stronger the interaction is the longer the compound remains attached to the stationary phase, and the more time it takes to go through the column (longer retention time).