Question

Write the uses of paper chromatography?

Answer 1

Chromatography:

• This is one of the latest techniques to separate the components of a mixture, when all the components are very similar in their properties.
• Chromatography is a technique that is used to separate a mixture of chemicals in a liquid or gaseous form based on the differences in adsorbency (the quality of being able
  to adsorb something easily).
• The technique of chromatography is based on the principle of selective adsorption (surface adsorption) of different components on the surface of a suitable adsorbent.
• Chromatography consists of a mobile phase and a stationary phase.
• Mobile phase is a fluid or a solvent which carries the components of the mixture to be separated through the fixed column.
• Stationary phase is the column that stays fixed and the solvent moves through it.
• For example, in paper chromatography, the paper is the stationary phase and the solvent might be water or any other solvent that helps to separate the constituents of the mixture.

Paper Chromatography:

• Paper chromatography is a type of chromatography which 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. 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.