Paper Chromatography

Chromatography, technique for separating the components, or solutes, of a

mixture on the basis of the relative amounts of each solute distributed between a
moving fluid stream, called the mobile phase, and a contiguous stationary phase.
The mobile phase may be either a liquid or a gas, while the stationary phase is either
a solid or a liquid.

Chromatography is one of several separation techniques defined as

differential migration from a narrow initial zone. Electrophoresis is another
member of this group. In this case, the driving force is an electric field, which exerts
different forces on solutes of different ionic charge. The resistive force is
the viscosity of the non-flowing solvent. The combination of these forces yields ion
mobilities peculiar to each solute.

Pigments are insoluble and are applied not as solutions but as finely ground
solid particles mixed with a liquid. In general, the same pigments are employed in
oil- and water-based paints, printing inks, and plastics. Pigments may be organic
(i.e., contain carbon) or inorganic. The majority of inorganic pigments are brighter
and last longer than organic ones. Organic pigments made from natural sources
have been used for centuries, but most pigments used today are either inorganic
or synthetic organic ones. Synthetic organic pigments are derived from coal tars and
other petrochemicals. Inorganic pigments are made by relatively simple chemical
reactions—notably oxidation—or are found naturally as earths.
Procedures:

1. Cut 10 by 7 centimeters of chromatography paper (1) (length by height) and a 9 by 7 of

centimeters chromatography paper (2) (length by height).
2. Chromatography Paper (2) starting from the bottom mark a 1 centimeter and from
each side of the paper and draw a light line, this will be the starting point and do the
same at the top of the paper.
3. Prepare different colors of nipps candy and put it in the petri dish then put small
amount of water in each color of nipps candy.
4. Wait for the water to dissolve the outer layer of the candy then use a toothpick to get
samples of pigments.
5. Starting from the starting line in the chromatography paper (2), create dots using the
toothpick with pigments.
6. Fold the chromatography paper (2) and staple the top part then let the dots dry.
7. Prepare the chromatography paper (1), beaker and ethanol alcohol
8. Clean the petri dish using the tissue paper
9. Put ethanol alcohol in the beaker about the height not reaching 1 centimeter.
10. Put the chromatography paper (1) inside the beaker and let it soak in ethanol alcohol
then lean the paper in the beaker
11. IMMEDIATELY cover the beaker with the petri dish.
12. Once the chromatography paper (1) is soaked in alcohol, put the chromatography
paper with the pigment inside the center of the beaker with the starting point at the
bottom and cover it with the petri dish.
13. Watch and observe the Mobile Phase.