A reader recently asked:

What are the advantages of monolithic stationary phases for liquid chromatography?

The major advantages of monolithic phases are their ability to withstand high mobile phase flow rates and the rapid separations at low back pressure that can be achieved with their use. Commercially available monolithic stationary phases have been created from materials such as polymethacrylate and polystyrene copolymers, bonded silica, functionalized cellulose, and polyacrylamide-based copolymers.

Modes of separation include ion-exchange, hydrophilic interaction, reversed- and normal-phase, and affinity chromatography. More information about monolithic phases can be found in an article by Frantisek Svec of the University of California, Berkeley, at the following link: http://www.lcgcmag.com/lcgc/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=158783.

Questions?LCGC technical editor Steve Brown will answer your technical questions. Each month, one question will be selected to appear in this space, so we welcome your submissions. Please send all questions to the attention of "Ask the Editor" at lcgcedit@lcgcmag.com. We look forward to hearing from you.