Question

What is the packing material used in most packed GC columns?

Short answer

Diatomaceous earth matter.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

Gas chromatography is a technique used to separate volatile components from their mixtures and to quantify the components present.

Material

The packing material in gas chromatography columns consists mainly of finely divided, inert solid support material. It is generally based on diatomaceous earth. The columns have a 1.5–10 m length and a diameter of 2-4 mm. They are coated with a stationary phase like carbowax.