Thin Layer Chromatography

Basics

• A form of Chromatography using a “mobile phase” which spreads the “stationary phase” (the sample) over a piece of material (either a “TLC Plate” or (TLC) Paper)
• Useful not just for research, but also for Quality Control of materials
• Simple Setups can be VERY accessible ( Printer Paper , a Glass Jar, a Dropper, and a Solvent)
• High End Setups can be fully automated and produce Quantitative Data

OSE Use Cases

• Chemical Synthesis Purity Testing
  • Mainly in Regards to Bio-Petrochemistry Lab Scale Chemistry
• Routine Quality Control use

Setups

Low Budget

• Flat Bottom Glass Beaker
• and/or a Glass TLC Chamber
• A Dropper or better yet a Pipette / Micropipette
• Solvents
  • Stains can help too

Medium Budget

• A Lab Bot for automating the process and a scanner/camera setup to record the results

High End

• Medium, but automated sampling / Mass Spectrometry etc is integrated

External Links

• The Wikipedia Page on Thin Layer Chromatography