[labstudent]

What would the effect of using an unlined tank be in tlc analysis with regard to iodine/uv

[Arkcon]

Does the description of the lab devise what the lining is for? 

Sorry to answer  a question with a question, but that's what we do around here.  We try to teach you to help yourself, so that your better off in the long run.  When someone asks something like your question, which has a very simple answer, the only way we can really help, and not just dump your answer,  is to ask you to re-read your lab text.

[labstudent]

I understand and its appreciated 
It doesn't say what it is for, in the method I used for the actual experiment we used a chromatographic development tank but the question asks what effect an unlined tank would have without giving any other information. I searched long and hard but can not seem to find an answer

[Arkcon]

OK, lets work with what we have -- How does TLC work?  What processes does it rely on?  Are there processes that might occur, that are competing with the processes that need to work?  What sort of lining is there in a TLC, what does it do, what else in inside a TLC chamber, those sorts of questions.