Brockmann & Schodder Activity Test
A common way to validate and compare silica gels with the same particle size distribution is to perform a side-by-side chromatographic separation of a well understood sample mixture. However, for users who do not have access to a known and well characterized sample mixture, the Brockmann and Schodder test can become useful.
The test first described by Brockmann and Schodder showed that there is clear relationship between sorbent water content and its retention characteristics. One of the conclusions drawn at that time, which is still considered to be important by process engineers and chemists, is that reproducible and well controlled water content is mandatory for the achievement of highly reproducible intra and inter-column chromatographic separations.
