Paper Chromatography of Marker Ink Pens

Erilla, Kcnorren C., Evangelista, Joven, Manalastas, Clain S., Palahang, Gadiel Elidave G.

STEM1808, Grade 12, General Chemistry 1

National University – Nazareth School

1459 Alcantara, Sampaloc, Manila, 1015 Metro Manila

August 19, 2019

Key words

Chromatogram, chromatography, pigments, retention factor, solvent

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Chromatography is a method for analyzing mixtures by separating them into the

chemicals from which they are made. It can be used to separate mixtures like ink, blood,

gasoline, and lipstick. In ink chromatography, you are separating the colored pigments

that make up the color of the pen. Even though a pen will only write in one color, the ink

is made from a mixture of different colored pigments. To perform ink chromatography,

you put a small dot of ink to be separated at one end of a strip of filter paper. This end of

the paper strip is placed in a solvent. The solvent moves up the paper strip and, as it travels

upward, it dissolves the mixture of chemicals and pulls them up the paper. The chemicals

that dissolve best in the solvent will move up the paper strip further than chemicals that

do not dissolve as well. What is produced from this method is a chromatogram. Forensic

scientists can use ink chromatography to solve crimes by matching documents or stains

found at a crime scene to the marker or pen that belongs to a suspect. Forensic scientists
 analyze the unknown ink and compare it with writing utensils collected from possible

suspects.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Calculate the ff. per spot:

distance
a. speed = time

b. Rf (Top)

c. Rf (Bottom)

d. Rf (Center)
dTop+d Bottom
d center ( )
2
e. Rf of the solvent = -
d2 d2

1.3 Research Hypothesis

Paper can be used to separate mixed chemicals.

1.4 Significance of the Study

To use paper chromatography to identify whether certain colored inks are pure

substances or mixtures. To obtain a paper chromatogram of various gel inks. To identify

components of inks by calculating Rf values.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Conceptual Framework

Figure 1

Figure 2
3. METHODOLOGY

This chapter clearly defines the research methods and procedures that will be used

in conducting the study. This discusses how the necessary data and information to address

the research objectives and questions will be collected, presented and analyzed.

3.1 Research Design

This study will use an Experimental approach.

3.2 Data – gathering Procedure

Materials and Equipment

Materials: Filter paper, Ethanol solution, 4 colors of marker (Black, Red,

Blue, Ink)

Equipment: Stapler and Staple wires, Pencil, Ruler, Glass Bowl/Beaker

Procedure

1. Take a small piece of rectangular filter two horizontal lines 1.50 cm

from the longer edges of the paper. Measure the distance between

the two lines. This will be the distance traveled by the solvent front.

Note: label your filter paper using pencils, since the ink from your

pen may interfere with the results.

2. Make a spot from the ink of each color pen onto a designated spot

on the filter paper, as shown in the figure below. Repeat this 3-5

times, to the same spot, to concentrate the dye on each spot. Allow

drying time between each application. Make sure that the spots will

remain small.

3. Transfer small amount of the ethanol solution into a beaker. Keep

the level of the solution below 1.5 cm.

 4. Roll the filter paper into a cylinder making sure that it fits inside the

beaker. Staple the ends and the middle together to stabilize the

cylinder as shown in the figure below. Make sure that the flaps do

not overlap.

5. Slowly and carefully place the paper cylinder into the beaker making

sure that the bottom touches the ethanol solution uniformly. Make

sure that the rolled-up filter paper does not touch the walls of the

beaker. As soon as the rolled-up filter paper in the beaker, do not

move the paper or the beaker.

6. Watch as the ethanol solution (solvent front) moves up the paper,

pulling along the components of the dye. When the solvent front

reaches the top line, remove the wet filter paper from the beaker.

7. Air-dry the filter paper and note down your observations.

10 cm

1.5 cm 1.5 cm 1.5 cm 1.5 cm 1.5 cm

1.5 cm

Figure 3
(Prepared paper chromatography)