Characterisation of polysaccharides, lignin and other woody components by inverse gas chromatography: A review

The present review deals with the use of Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC) in order to characterise the surface properties of polysaccharides, lignin and other woody components. Thus, the dispersive component of surface energy, the acid-base properties, the adsorption capacities and the specific surface area of the materials listed above will be covered. The solubility parameter of cellulose, as obtained by IGC, is reported here, even the fact that it is a bulk rather than a surface property. Both measurements at zero coverage region and those concerning infinite concentration conditions are treated. First, the main equations for the calculation of the thermodymanic properties of the material under study are briefly given and referenced. Then, the data available in the literature, concerning the dispersive component of the surface energy as well as those dealing with the acid-base properties of the materials of interest are reported, discussed and compared to those obtained from other techniques. Finally, the adsorption capacities and the specific surface are-as of cellulosics are given and compared to the data obtained from Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) measurements.