Identification of the surface characteristics of carbon blacks by pyrolysis GC–MASS Original Research Article

Subtle differences in surface characteristics on carbon blacks are investigated by using Curie-point Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (CP–PGC–MASS). The PGC–MASS diagrams of carbon blacks are assigned as the fingerprints for distinguishing differences in surface properties. For carbon black-N220 pyrolyzed below 445°C, only one aromatic ring hydrocarbons are found in PGC–MS diagrams, whereas, when pyrolyzation temperatures exceed 445°C, two ring aromatic hydrocarbons are also found. Toluene Sohxlet extraction of the carbon blacks will not cause a significant change of surface properties, however toluene will remain as a contaminant on the surface even for those samples dried for 24 h at 200°C before PGC–MASS measurements. A new surface structure model of carbon black is proposed based on the PGC–MASS results.