Monolithic stationary phases chromatographic applications

Up to now, most efforts have been directed towards the preparation of uniformly sized spherical MIP particles in the micrometre range. This is the obvious consequence of the need for this kind of materials as fillers for high-performance chromatographic columns, capillaries for electrophoresis, cartridges for solid-phase extractions and other applications requiring selective stationary phases. Additionally though, strategies for the preparation of other more sophisticated MIP forms, such as membranes, (nano)monoliths, films, micro- and nanostructured surfaces etc. 

Chemistry and material sciences are key disciplines for the development of advanced and more specific adsorbents. The stability and reproducibility of chromatographic columns was significantly increased by the introduction of spherical instead of irregular stationary phases. Recently, another step forward was made by the development of high efficiency monolithic columns with a rather low pressure drop. Future, further improvements, which include surface activation and internal pore structures of stationary phases, should help to tailor stationary phases for certain applications. But, besides the need for more specific and efficient solid phases, their cost is often a major problem for the widespread application of preparative chromatography. 

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