Filtration is one of the most widely used laboratory techniques we use in laboratories and elsewhere. Filter papers seems like a kind of magical paper that separates the solvent and solid. You might spend a long time finding the suitable filter paper for your experiment or project and want this process to be easier.
Here are some important parameters for you to refer to when you choose the filter paper:
1. What particle size does it hold on to? (This is known as particle retention.)
2. Will the filtered chemical be compatible with your solution? (This can affect the contamination of the sample as well.)
3. Will you be able to get the solid sample off the filter papers when you need to?
4. How much solid sample could the filter paper hold before it gets clogged up? (This is known as loading capacity.)
5. How quickly will the solution flow through the filter paper? (This is known as flow rate. It is quite related to the loading capacity.)
6. Will the filter papers break during filtration? (This is in some way measured as wet strength.)