Normal phase: Silica or alumina adsorbents are used for non-polar to moderately polar compounds.
Reverse phase: C18 or C8-coated silica is used for polar compounds or aqueous mobile phases.
Sensitivity depends on the detection method. With UV indicators, compounds absorbing at 254 nm or higher are easily detected.
Most TLC plates are compatible with common organic solvents (e.g., hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol). Check the product specifications for specific solvent resistance.
Choose the adsorbent type (e.g., silica or alumina) based on the polarity of your compounds.
Consider layer thickness (250 µm or 0.25 mm for analytical, 1,000 – 2,000 µm or 1 – 2 mm for preparative).
Use plates with fluorescent indicators for UV detection.
Standard sizes are 20 x 20 cm, 10 x 10 cm, and 5 x 5 cm. Custom sizes can also be provided upon request.
Use silica gel for general-purpose and normal-phase separations.
Use alumina for more basic compounds.
Select reverse-phase plates for polar compounds or water-based separations.
Pre-coated plates are ready-to-use, offering uniform layers and reproducible results. Self-prepared plates are cost-effective but may vary in layer consistency and require additional preparation time.
TLC plates are used for separating and analyzing mixtures of compounds. Common applications include reaction monitoring, purity testing, and qualitative identification of compounds in pharmaceuticals, food, and environmental samples.
