Question

Which of the following can be used as adsorbent in adsorption chromatography?
A) Silica
B) Alumina
C) Cellulose
D) All of these

Answer 1

An adsorbent in adsorption chromatography is a stationary phase. The stationary phase should have a strong affinity for the mixture to be separated. However this affinity should not be very strong, otherwise the mixture to be separated will remain with the stationary phase and it will not move with the mobile phase.

Complete answer:
In adsorption chromatography, two phases are used. These are called the stationary phase and the mobile phase. The stationary phase is also called adsorbent.
Out of several forms of adsorption chromatography, two forms are column chromatography and paper chromatography. Both forms use the same principle.
You can use either silica gel or alumina as the stationary phase. The stationary phase is also called adsorbent. You can use cellulose as a stationary phase (adsorbent) in paper chromatography. Filter paper contains cellulose fibers. The pores of cellulose fibers contain moisture / water. This serves the purpose of the stationary phase. A suitable solvent is used as a mobile phase.
Silica, alumina and cellulose can be used as adsorbent in adsorption chromatography.
In paper chromatography adsorbent is cellulose.

Hence, the correct option is the option D) All of these.

Note: Adsorption chromatography is also called partition chromatography. In this, two phases are present. When a mixture of two or more solutes is separated by adsorption chromatography, each solute spends different time in the stationary phase and mobile phase.