Monolithic stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography based on synthetic polymers: Designs and applications

Monolithic materials have quickly become a well-established stationary phas e format in the field of capillary electrochromatography (CEC), Both the si mplicity of their irt situ preparation method and the large variety of read ily available chemistries make the monolithic separation media an attractiv e alternative to capillary columns packed with particulate materials. This review summarizes the contributions of numerous groups working in this rapi dly growing area, with a focus on monolithic capillary columns prepared fro m synthetic polymers. Various approaches employed for the preparation of th e monoliths are detailed, and where available, the material properties of t he resulting monolithic capillary columns are shown. Their chromatographic performance is demonstrated by numerous separations of different analyte mi xtures in variety of modes. Although detailed studies of the effect of poly mer properties on the analytical performance of monolithic capillaries rema in scarce at this early stage of their development, this review also discus ses some important relationships such as the effect of pore size on the sep aration performance in more detail.