In chromatography the absorbent medium e.g.whatman filter paper is known as the stationary phase why?
Answers
The Whatman Filter paper, which is made up of 99% Alpha cellulose, binds the water tightly to the paper and hence it is called the Stationary phase.
In the Mobile phase, the solvents are partially mixed in the water and therefore it is called the Mobile phase.
Both phases are liquids and mode of separation in this case is the partition. Basis of separation is solubility.
Answer :
Chromatography is a separation technique of a mixture in which a mixture is distributed between the two phases at different rates, one of which is stationary phase and another is mobile phase.
Mobile phase : The mixture is dissolved in a solution is known as mobile phase.
Stationary phase : It is an adsorbent medium and It is a solid, liquid or gel that remains immovable when a liquid or a gas moves over the surface of adsorbent. It remains stationary.
Paper chromatography is a type of chromatography in which both mobile phase and stationary phase are liquids.
Whatman filter Paper is essentially be made up of cellulose fibers and it is a polymer which contain OH functional group sticking with the polymer chains. The cellulose paper can absorb water molecules and the cellulose fiber is act as a stationary phase i.e, it remains stationary.
So, the Whatman filter Paper is known as the stationary phase.