In paper chromatography n-butanol:acetic acid:water mixture in the ratio 4:1:1 is used as a solvent whereas in case of thin layer chromatography(TLC) petroleum ether and acetone in the ratio 9:1 is used as a solvent.
Also, in some cases, DCM(dichloromethane is used as a solvent.
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As such there is no hard and fast rule which solution to use. It depends on what component of the material are we interested in as carries the components of the mixture with it and different components travel at different rates.
The water dissolves the paper molecules.
Paper chromatography is a technique used to separate and identify mixtures of substances based on their different migration rates through a porous paper strip. It works on the principle of differential affinity of the components for the stationary phase (paper) and mobile phase (solvent). The separated components can be visualized by developing the paper in a suitable solution and observing the distinct bands or spots they form.
Instead of chromatography paper, you can use materials like coffee filters, filter paper, or even paper towels for paper chromatography tests. These alternative materials can absorb the solvent and help separate the components of a mixture based on their solubility and molecular properties, similar to chromatography paper.
Stopping paper chromatography from reaching the top of the paper helps to prevent the paper from becoming oversaturated, which can distort the results and make it harder to separate the substances being analyzed. Additionally, allowing some paper at the top to remain dry can serve as a reference point for measuring the distance each substance has traveled.
The propelling force in paper chromatography is capillary action, where the solvent moves through the paper due to the attraction between the solvent and the paper fibers. This causes the components in the sample to separate as they are carried at different rates along the paper.