One
advantage ofmaking amonolithic column over a traditional packed
particle column is the synthesis of the stationary phase and
“packing” steps are combined together. The experiment described
herein requires students to create a column containing a polymeric
monolith and characterize it by using HPLC. Monolithic columns consist of a continuous network of particles
rather than the small beads used in most HPLC columns.
Themonoliths can be made with silica18,19 or with polymer.20-33
Polymeric monoliths have an advantage in that they do not
shrink during formation, unlike silica gel monoliths.25