Application of Thin-Layer Chromatography in Quantitative Inorganic Analysis and in Radiochemical Studies

Abstract

Abstract Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) or chromatography on planar beds finds many applications in the synthesis and determination of organic molecules. This review is devoted to an area of application at least as important but perhaps not as widely known - analysis of inorganic and radioactive substances. Information about the historical development, recent advances in both methodological and instrumental aspects and a scientometric analysis of the use of TLC for inorganic determinations in various fields is provided. Considerable space is devoted to description of the instrumental methods known to be successful in the determination of and quantitative estimation of inorganic TLC zones directly on the plate (densitometry, fluorimetry, radiometry, planimetry, visual methods, etc.) and after elution of the material from the developed zones. Methods applicable to most of the elements of the Periodic Table are summarized as are those for various natural and industrial samples including minerals, ores, rock...