The key difference between Whatman filter paper and normal filter paper is that the Whatman filter paper is suitable for qualitative analysis whereas the normal filter papers are suitable for both qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Filtration is a technique of separating different components in a mixture. We can use filter papers for this separation. Therefore, we use it as a barrier that is perpendicular to either a liquid flow or air flow. Thus, these filter papers are useful for qualitative or quantitative analysis. Whatman filter paper is specific for qualitative analysis.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Whatman Filter Paper
3. What is Normal Filter Paper
4. Side by Side Comparison – Whatman Filter Paper vs Normal Filter Paper in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Whatman Filter Paper?
Whatman filter paper is a specific type of filter paper that is used for qualitative analysis. These filter papers contain cellulose fibers, and people manufacture them from high quality cotton linters (First, we have to treat them in order to increase the amount of alpha cellulose). Therefore, Whatman filter paper contains a high percentage of alpha cellulose. This gives it high quality and consistency. There are several grades of these filter papers. We can divide them into grades according to the particle retention, thickness, and weight. Ex: Filter paper grade 1, 2, 3, etc.
Figure 01: Whatman Filter Papers
Moreover, these filter papers show a high wet strength. Therefore, it does not allow any significant impurities to enter into the filtrate. We can use a chemically stable resin in order to get this wet strength.
What is Normal Filter Paper?
Normal filter paper is a semi-permeable barrier that we use to separate components in a liquid flow or an air flow. These papers have wet strength, porosity, particle retention, volumetric flow rate, compatibility, efficiency and capacity.
Figure 02: Using a Filter Paper
Furthermore, there are two forms as:
- Qualitative filter papers: we use these filter papers in the qualitative chemical analysis. The amount of ash this can produce after ashing is not more than 0.13%.
- Quantitative filter papers: we use these filter papers in the quantitative chemical analysis. The amount of ash this can produce after ashing is not more than 0.0009%. Therefore, we can consider it as an ashless filter paper. Thus we can ignore the amount of ash it produces in an analysis.
What is the Difference Between Whatman Filter Paper and Normal Filter Paper?
Whatman filter paper is a specific type of filter paper that is used for qualitative analysis. We can use it for qualitative chemical analysis. More importantly, the ash content of these filter papers is about 0.13%. Normal filter paper is a semi-permeable barrier that we use to separate components in a liquid flow or an air flow. We can use them for both qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis; we should choose the proper grade of filter paper according to the purpose. In addition, the ash content of these filter papers ranges from 0.0009% (quantitative) to 0.13% (qualitative). Following infographic presents a side by side comparison of the difference between Whatman filter paper and normal filter paper.
Summary – Whatman Filter Paper vs Normal Filter Paper
Filter papers are barriers that we use to separate fine particles from either a liquid or an air flow. There are different grades of filter papers such as Whatman filter paper. The difference between Whatman filter paper and normal filter paper is that Whatman filter paper is suitable for qualitative analysis whereas normal filter papers are suitable for both qualitative and quantitative analysis.