Paper Chromatography: A Simple Yet Powerful Analytical Tool

Paper chromatography is a type of planar chromatography that uses a specialized paper to run chromatography procedures. It is a simple and widely used chromatographic technique due to its applicability to the isolation, identification, and quantitative determination of organic and inorganic compounds.

Principle of Paper Chromatography

The principle of paper chromatography involves partitioning or adsorption. Substances are distributed between a stationary phase and a mobile phase. The stationary phase is the moisture held in the pores of the filter paper, and the mobile phase is an organic solvent or buffer that moves over the sample on the paper¹. The separation of the mixture occurs as the mobile phase moves, with compounds separating based on their affinity towards the stationary and mobile phase solvents¹.

Types of Paper Chromatography

There are two main types of paper chromatography: paper adsorption chromatography and paper partition chromatography.

• Paper Adsorption Chromatography: The paper, impregnated with silica or alumina, acts as the adsorbent (stationary phase), and the solvent acts as the mobile phase.
• Paper Partition Chromatography: The moisture or water present in the pores of the cellulose fibers in the filter paper acts as the stationary phase, and another mobile phase is used as the solvent.

Procedure of Paper Chromatography

The procedure of paper chromatography involves several steps:

• Selection of Solid Support and Mobile Phase: The type of filter paper and the mobile phase are selected based on the size of the pores and the sample quality.
• Sample Preparation and Loading: The sample is dissolved in a suitable solvent and spotted on the paper using a capillary tube.
• Development of the Chromatogram: The paper is immersed in the mobile phase, and due to the capillary action of the paper, the mobile phase moves over the sample on the paper¹.
• Drying of Chromatogram and Detection: Once the chromatogram is developed, the paper is dried, and a detecting solution can be sprayed on the paper to identify the sample chromatogram spots¹.

Applications of Paper Chromatography

Paper chromatography has various applications. It is used in many fields such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage industries, cosmetic industries, and environmental studies¹.

Paper chromatography is a powerful analytical tool that is simple to perform and requires very small quantities of material. It provides a cost-effective method for the separation and identification of chemical substances, making it an invaluable technique in various scientific fields.