Current trends in the development of polymer‐based monolithic stationary phases

Abstract

This review focuses on the development and applications of organic polymer monoliths, with special attention to the literature published in 2021. The latest protocols in the preparation of polymer monoliths are discussed. In particular, tailored surface modification using nanomaterials, the development of chiral stationary phases and development of stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography are reviewed.Furthermore, the optimization of pore forming solvents composition is also discussed.Finally, the use of monolithic stationary phases in sample treatment using solid-phase extraction and enrichment methods, molecularly imprinted polymers and enzymatic reactors is mentioned.

Monolithic stationary phases prepared via cyclic anhydride ring-opening polymerization as tunable platforms for chromatographic applications

“…[1][2][3][4] The used polymerization mixture has a strong effect on the monolith morphology and properties; hence, several researchers tried to optimize monomers, crosslinkers, and porogenic solvent compositions along with the polymerization conditions including temperature and time. 1,[4][5][6][7][8] The naked polymer monoliths are interconnected non-porous microglobules. The porous structure of the monolith channels mainly consists of large pores and in most cases, absence of mesopores.…”

“…1–4 The used polymerization mixture has a strong effect on the monolith morphology and properties; hence, several researchers tried to optimize monomers, crosslinkers, and porogenic solvent compositions along with the polymerization conditions including temperature and time. 1,4–8…”

“…However, some groups developed several scenarios to overcome the limitations of the naked monoliths and enhance their retention properties. Some researchers optimized the polymerization conditions and the monomeric mixtures, 4–8 used single or multi-crosslinker monomers, 14–16 introduced additional hyper-crosslinking reactions, 17,18 employed further post-polymerization modifications, 19–22 and incorporated or immobilized a certain amount of micro- or nanoparticles into the porous channels of the monoliths such as polymeric latex nanoparticles, 23,24 carbonaceous nanomaterials, 25–28 clay minerals, 29,30 metallic nanoparticles, 31–33 silica nanoparticles, 34,35 and metal–organic frameworks. 36–38…”

Influence of the Polymerization Parameters on the Porosity and Thermal Stability of Polymeric Monoliths

“…Unfortunately, the selection of cross-linking monomers is quite limited. The family of applied cross-linkers mainly includes divinylbenzene, ethylene glikol dimethacrylate, N , N ′ methylenebisacryloamide, and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. The cross-linking monomer concentration in the polymerization mixture can vary to a great extent.…”

Preparation of miniaturized hydrophilic affinity monoliths: Towards a reduction of non-specific interactions and an increased target protein density

“…A great diversity of organic monoliths has been synthesized. Among those, GMA-co-EDMA monoliths have found applications in many areas (for the preparation of IMERS dedicated to on-line solid-supported enzymatic digestion, immunoaffinity preconcentration, separation…) [12,[15][16][17]. Moreover, their synthesis is well-documented, they present a satisfactory chemical and thermal stability, and their surface epoxy groups open multiple grafting-ways to prepare a wide range of stationary phases, from ion-exchange to affinity columns through biomolecules immobilization (e.g., aptamers and proteins).…”