How are stationary phases classified in gas-liquid chromatography?

Question

Not entirely sure how the stationary nor mobile phases are classed. If possible could you give a representative example of each class.

Answer 1

2 Types of Chromatograhy

1. Normal

stationary phase: polar (ex. silica)

mobile phase: nonpolar (ex.hexane)

2. Reversed

stationary phase: nonpolar

mobile phase: polar

2 Phenomena in Chromatography

1. Adsorption (like in TLC and column chrom)

stationary phase: solid

mobile phase: liquid

2. Partition (like in paper chrom)

stationary phase: liquid (the liquid found on the sides of the filter paper)

mobile phase: liquid/gas

Answer 2

It depends on the type of chromatography being used (i.e. normal phase, reverse phase, size exclusion, etc.).  The most common are normal and reverse phase in which the stationary and mobile phases are classified by their polarities.  

A silica column represents a polar stationary phase while a C18 column represents a nonpolar stationary phase.  

For mobile phase, water is a very polar mobile phase while hexane would be a very nonpolar mobile phase.  Keep in mind other solvents are used that fall in between these two extremes.