Thin-layer chromatography in the analysis of surfactants: At a glance

This review presents the research work appeared in the literature during 1983–2016 on identification, separation, and determination of surfactants using different modes of thin-layer chromatography (TLC), e.g., normal phase TLC (NP-TLC), high-performance TLC (HP-TLC), and reversed-phase TLC (RP-TLC). The relative work done on these techniques follows the trend: NP-TLC > HP-TLC > RP-TLC. Most of the work performed has been concentrated on the analysis of nonionic surfactants compared to the other types of surfactants. The analysis trend of surfactants by TLC follows the order: nonionic > cationic > anionic > amphoteric. Green solvents as an eluant in TLC analysis of surfactants have been recently introduced. In addition, the entry of ionic liquids (ILs) as a mobile phase or as an impregnant of stationary phase tremendously increased the scope of TLC as green chromatographic technique in the analysis of surfactants. The advantageous features of ILs including negligible vapor pressure, good thermal stability, tunable viscosity, nonflammable, and miscibility with water and organic solvents as well as good extractability for various organic compounds and metal ions have expanded the scope of TLC in chemical analysis.