Question

What is paper chromatography? How is it useful?

Answer 1

Paper Chromatography:

• Paper chromatography is a type of chromatography that involves working with a piece of specialized paper and a solvent.
• In this method, usually, a piece of cellulose filter paper is taken which acts as a stationary phase, and the solvent acts as a mobile phase.
• The sample mixture is applied to a piece of cellulose filter paper and the edge of the paper is immersed in a solvent.
• The solvent moves through the paper by capillary action.
• The constituents of the mixture are also carried along the solvent through the paper.
• The constituents with a strong affinity to the solvent pass through the paper faster as compared to the constituents with a strong affinity to the paper.
• Hence, the constituents of the mixture are separated based on the rate of difference at which different constituents move through the paper.

Uses of Paper Chromatography:

• It is used as a quantitative process to identify the components of a mixture. a few minutes later
• It is used in several scientific studies to identify unknown organic and inorganic compounds present in a mixture.
• It is used as an analytical chemistry technique to identify and separate colored mixtures such as pigments.
• It is used to separate amino acids.
• It is used to analyze reaction mixtures in biochemistry labs.
• It is used to detect the presence of contaminants in food items and various drinks.
• It is used to detect various hormones and drugs in pharmaceutical industries.