Evaluation of a new graphitized carbon black employed in sampling volatile organic compounds

A new adsorbent, high-surface-area graphitized carbon black (HSGCB), with a surface area of 560 m²/g, superior to that of commonly traded graphitized carbons, was studied. The evaluation was performed in terms of breakthrough volumes and thermal desorption recoveries of substances representative of the main classes of organic compounds. HSGCB was found to be an interesting alternative to activated charcoal for volatile compounds in that it can be used in thermal desorption.