Purity
VOC^x is a carbonaceous sorbent with a purity of over 99.9%. VOC^x has negligible sulfur content, and metal impurities can be reduced to levels below 100 ppm if desired. The high purity of VOC^x ensures efficient release/desorption of analytes of interest. VOC^x has almost zero ash content and burns completely in air about 650^oC.

Thermal stability
VOC^x offers excellent thermal stability with a service temperature of up to 400^oC. The higher service temperature of VOC^x compared to conventional sorbents allows analytes to be released over a shorter timescale, for improved peak shape and resolution. Furthermore, rapid release of analytes allows the use of a low flow rate of the carrier gas. In addition, VOC^x has high particle endurance (low friability), ensuring a long service life in applications where it is subject to mechanical wear.

Hydrophobicity
In many trace analytical applications, moisture sorption limits the choice of sorbent used. When atmospheric moisture binds to the sorbent surface, it blocks the sorption of analytes of interest, i.e. volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs). In contrast to other porous carbon sorbents, VOC^x is highly hydrophobic while maintaining the ability to adsorb and release a wide or narrow range of VOCs depending on the specific VOC^x material chosen. The figure on the right shows the moisture sorption of a VOC^x sorbent material. The material only adsorbs 20 wt.% of water after extended exposure to high relative humidity conditions (70%).

Friability
Friability refers to the ease with which a solid substance can be broken up into smaller particles. Most carbon-based sorbents are extremely friable, and often form fines when filling sorbent tubes. This means that one must take great care when packing these sorbents into tubes. By contrast, VOC^x has low friability, i.e. good mechanical integrity. This directly translates to improved anti-clogging properties. As seen in the figure on the right, VOC^x does not leave any fines behind when it is placed onto and then removed from a sheet of paper, in contrast to the activated carbon sorbents which leave behind a fine powder, darkening the paper.