thin-layer chromatography

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a technique used to separate and identify components in a mixture. A small amount of the mixture is applied as a spot on a flat, coated surface (usually glass or plastic with a thin layer of an adhesive substance). The plate is then placed in a solvent, which climbs up by capillary action. Different substances in the mixture travel at different speeds based on their interactions with the solvent and the surface, forming distinct spots. Analyzing these spots helps identify and compare the components in the original mixture.