chromatography

gas chromatography

Uses an inert gas as the mobile phase and a heated column as the stationary phase to separate volatile, vaporized compounds based on boiling point. 

high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Uses high pressure to push a liquid mobile phase through a column packed with fine particles, separating small and large molecules by polarity. 

thin layer chromatography (TLC)

Uses a flat plate coated with a solid adsorbent (like silica gel) where a liquid mobile phase moves upward via capillary action to separate small sample components by polarity. 

paper chromatography

Uses specialized filter paper as the stationary phase and a liquid solvent as the mobile phase, often used to separate colored plant pigments or inks.

column chromatography

Uses a vertical tube (column) packed with a solid stationary phase (like silica gel) where a liquid mobile phase flows down by gravity or pump pressure to separate and purify compounds.