Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC)

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a laboratory technique used to separate and identify substances in a mixture. It involves spreading a small amount of that mixture on a flat sheet coated with a thin layer of adsorbent material, usually silica gel. The sheet is then placed upright in a solvent, which travels up the layer by capillary action. As the solvent moves, different components of the mixture travel at different rates, creating distinct spots. By comparing these spots to known substances, scientists can determine what chemicals are present in the original mixture. TLC is simple, fast, and effective for various applications.