Which support is used in thin-layer chromatography (TLC)?

• A. Plastic plates
• B. Whatman
• C. Silica gel
• D. Aluminum foil

Answer: (A)

TLC relies on a flat solid backing that supports a very thin layer of adsorbent. The backing—the support—is typically a plastic plate (sometimes glass), chosen because it’s sturdy, inert, and easy to handle. The thin layer of silica gel or other adsorbent sits on this plate to form the stationary phase. So plastic plates are the standard support for TLC. Whatman refers to filter paper used in paper chromatography, not TLC; silica gel is the adsorbent coating on the plate, not the backing; aluminum foil isn’t used as the primary TLC plate support.