paper chromatography

Chromatography technique that uses paper sheets 

or strips as the adsorbent being the stationary phase through which a 

solution is made to pass is called paper chromatography. It is an 

inexpensive method of separating dissolved chemical substances by 

their different migration rates across the sheets of paper. It is a 

powerful analytical tool that uses very small quantities of material. 

Paper chromatography was discovered by Synge and Martin in the year 

1943. The principle involved can be partition chromatography or 

adsorption chromatography. Partition chromatography because the 

substances are partitioned or distributed between liquid phases. The 

two phases are water held in pores of the filter paper and the other 

phase is a mobile phase which passes through the paper. When the 

mobile phase moves, the separation of the mixture takes place. The 

compounds in the mixture separate themselves based on the differences in their affinity towards stationary and mobile phase solvents under the 

capillary action of pores in the paper. Adsorption chromatography 

between solid and liquid phases, wherein the solid surface of the paper 

is the stationary phase and the liquid phase is the mobile phase.

STEPS/ PROCEDURE: 

Below we have explained the procedure to conduct Paper Chromatography 

Experiment for easy understanding of students.

– Selecting a suitable type of development: It is decided based on 

the complexity of the solvent, paper, mixture, etc. Usually 

ascending type or radial paper chromatography is used as they 

are easy to perform. Also, it is easy to handle, the chromatogram 

obtained is faster and the process is less time-consuming.

– Selecting a suitable filter paper: Selection of filter paper is done 

based on the size of the pores, and the sample quality.

– Prepare the sample: Sample preparation includes the 

dissolution of the sample in a suitable solvent (inert with the 

sample under analysis) used in making the mobile phase.

– Spot the sample on the paper: Samples should be spotted at a 

proper position on the paper by using a capillary tube.

– Chromatogram development: Chromatogram development is 

spotted by immersing the paper in the mobile phase. Due to the 

capillary action of paper, the mobile phase moves over the sample 

on the paper.

– Paper drying and compound detection: Once the 

chromatogram is developed, the paper is dried using an air drier. 

Also, detecting solution can be sprayed on the chromatogram 

developed paper and dried to identify the sample chromatogram 

spots.