How does thin-layer chromatography differ from paper chromatography?

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and paper chromatography are both analytical techniques used to separate chemical substances by capillary action, but they differ primarily in their stationary phase and durability.

• Stationary Phase: In paper chromatography, the stationary phase consists of a sheet of filter paper, which is often impregnated with a solvent to create a liquid phase supported by cellulose. In contrast, thin-layer chromatography utilizes glass plates or plastic sheets coated with a thin layer of a finely ground adsorbent, such as silica gel or alumina, mixed with a binder.123
• Durability: A distinct advantage of thin-layer chromatography is that the plates or sheets are able to withstand strong solvents and aggressive colour-forming reagents, whereas paper chromatography is generally more limited in this regard.3

Both methods involve depositing a sample near one edge of the medium and allowing a solvent to migrate across it, separating components based on their varying degrees of attachment to the stationary phase or their relative solubilities.31