Adsorption Chromatography

The stationary phase of this particular technique is a solid material on which the sample compounds are adsorbed. Mobile phase is either a liquid (solid-liquid chromatography) or a gas (gas-solid chromatography). Adsorption is completely different from absorption. In here molecules are adsorb to a surface however molecules will not become a part of this section. Adsorption chromatography is based on the interaction between the solute molecules and active sites on the stationary phase. This attachment or interaction depends on the polarity of solutes. This techniques proves the statement that “polar like polar”. Because if the stationary phase is more polar than the mobile phase then high polar compounds in the mixture will tightly bound to the stationary phase where as less polar compounds will lightly bound to the stationary phase. Less tightly bound compounds will be eluted out by the mobile phase earlier than the tightly bonded ones.

Thin layer chromatography, Open column chromatography and gas chromatography come under this chromatography type.