Advantages of Gas Chromatography
High Resolution: Effective separation of complex mixtures, including trace components.
Speed: Rapid analyses, often completed within minutes.
Precision: Highly reproducible and suitable for quantitative analyses.
Flexibility: Variety of detectors available for selective or general detection.
Small Sample Size: Requires only microgram to milligram quantities.
Automation: Auto-samplers enable high-throughput and reduce manual handling.
Coupling with Other Instruments: Integration with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Disadvantages of Gas Chromatography
Volatile Samples Required: Non-volatile or thermally unstable compounds need derivatization.
Degradation of Stationary Phase: Exposure to dirty or reactive samples can degrade the stationary phase.
Non-Recoverable Sample: Analyzed samples cannot be recovered post-injection.
Safety Concerns: High temperatures and flammable gases necessitate stringent safety measures.
Column Bleed: Stationary phase degradation over time can cause baseline drift.
Maintenance: Regular upkeep of columns and detectors is essential for optimal performance.