Comparison of chemical and physical properties of carbon blacks for sampling and analysis of environmental pollutants

Summary Some of the most commonly employed carbon blacks (Carbograph 1,2,4,5 from Lara and Carbopack X form Supelco), were evaluated by the BET surface characterization method for pore size distribution, porosity and specific surface. This information is often incomplete as furnished by manufacturers and is needed for a deeper understanding of carbon adsorption properties in chromatography. The data on surface characterization were obtained before and after graphitisation treatment (except for Carbopack X which could not be obtained in non-graphitized form). The nature of the active sites present on these carbons was investigated by BET analysis, atomic absorption and FT-IR. Dedicated to the memory of F. Bruner and G. Crescentini, pioneers in the study of graphitized carbon blacks for the sampling and analysis of environmental pollutants 1–4].