Phenol adsorption on active carbon by means of thin-layer chromatography

Summary The effect of the acidity of the media on the adsorption of phenol and creasols was investigated using TLC and using the R_F-values as a measure of the adsorption ability of active carbon. Three types of chromatographic layers were employed: silica gel, silica gel containing 3% of active carbon and silica gel containing 6% of active carbon. Standard solutions of phenol, m-cresol and o-cresol were used as the samples. The acetic acid content of the solvent mixture significantly influences the adsorption of phenol and cresols on the active carbon layer. An increase in the acetic acid content results in a decrease of the adsorption of phenols. However, under specific conditions [81∶5∶7 hexane-diethyl ether-acetic acid, and 48∶2∶8 benzene-acetone-acetic acid developers] the competitive adsorption of phenols and acetic acid may take place, which has been observed by a steep increase in the adsorption of phenol and cresols.