- Are cheap!
- Are non-toxic (He is most commonly used)
- Do not create waste problems
- Are pure!
> Easier detection (low background) - Are clean!
> Less fouling, downtime, and maintenance - Are inert
> High temperatures possible
> Columns are durable - Are non-viscous
> Low pressures needed - Show high diffusion
> Allows the use of open-tubular columns with
relatively large column internal diameters
> Even lower pressures needed – or much longer
columns possible
> High efficiencies (plate counts) or
> Short analysis times - Allow easy focusing of analyte bands
(e.g. by cooling)
> Many injection, sample preparation,
and hyphenation options - Allow near perfect GC-MS hyphenation
> Hardly any background
> Usually no matrix effects
> Electron ionization provides highly reproducible
(searchable) spectra! - Allow relatively easy modulation to achieve GC×GC!
