Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi, I want to do my science fair project on paper chromatography, like the one included on this site called "Paper Chromatography: Advanced Version 1", found at this address: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentorin ... l?from=TSW
Basically, it's just separating the pigments in ink (ie black markers) using paper chromatography. Using this method, one can calculate the Rf values of the different pigments (components):
Rf = distance traveled by the sample component/distance traveled by the solvent
So here's my question: is there a way to identify what the different components (pigments) are (maybe by using their Rf values)? (They have names, right?)
If I can't find out what their names are, how should I address the different components? Should I just "name" them myself, and give them names like "Red Pigment #1" or something?
I can't find this information anywhere! Does anyone else know of a book/website that names substances by their Rf values?
Thank you so much for your help!!!!!!

Hi!

I looked it up, but I could not find the names of the pigments. You will just have to refer to them by the color names. However, if you changed your experiment by using plants instead of ink then you could use the plant pigment names. Here is a site for the plant experiment including pigment names:

http://ekcsk12.org/science/lelab/chromatographylab.html

Hope this helps!

Thank you for your help! I'll probably follow your advice and use plants instead of inks. However, if anyone has any other info, or knows of any other resources that identify pigments in any way, could you please let me know?
Thanks again,
Michelle

Hello again!

Here is a sight involving tattoo ink...it is not exactly what you wanted, but you can use these inks if you know where to ifnd them:

http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa121602a.htm

I would stick with the plant project though. I'll post again if I find anything more about inks.

There are many, many compounds used as dyes. Some are listed here:
http://www.ihcworld.com/_technical_tips ... _chart.htm

Hello, I'm just posting this message to say, thanks for all your help!
Michelle