Chemistry 217 - Chemical Principles I
16. Experiment B4: Quantitative Determination of Phosphorus

Procedure - A. Fluted Filter Paper

Procedure (time to complete = 2 hours + overnight drying)

A.  Fluted Filter Paper

You will need to fold your filter paper in a “fluted” manner to increase the surface area that is in contact with your filtrate in this experiment. The following instructions will show you how to flute your filter paper. It is essentially basic Origami for chemists.
  1. Fold paper in half, then in half again and then in half again in the same direction. You should have a 1/8 section cone.


  2. Unfold this cone twice so it looks like a semicircle.


  3. Now try a “fan fold.” Alternately fold up and down every eighth section of the semicircle.


  4. Open the fan until you get a fluted filter cone.
  5. As a final touch, try to find the two opposing sections that are not folded correctly. Fold them inward to complete your perfect fan-folded filter paper.


Note: To make all creases, fold and press the paper. Do not run your finger or thumbnail along the folds. It may weaken the paper enough to introduce unwanted holes during filtration.