Functionalized graphitic stationary phase and methods for making and using same

A method for using a functionalized graphitic stationary phase, comprising:

• providing a vessel packed with a functionalized porous graphitic carbon material, the porous graphitic carbon material including porous graphitic carbon with a plurality of functional group molecules covalently bonded to the surface of the porous graphitic carbon, at least one of the plurality of functional group molecules including one or more alkyl groups;
• providing a mobile phase including at least two different components to be separated;
• flowing the mobile phase through the functionalized porous graphitic material to at least partially separate the different components;
• and
• recovering at least one of the two different components that have been separated.

A separation apparatus, comprising:

• a vessel having an inlet and an outlet;
• and
• a functionalized graphitic stationary phase packed within the vessel, the stationary phase including,
• porous graphitic carbon having a porosity and surface area suitable for use as a stationary phase;
• and
• a plurality of functional group molecules covalently bonded to the surface of the porous graphitic carbon, at least one of the plurality of functional group molecules including one or more alkyl groups.