Recent advances in the preparation and application of monolithic capillary columns in separation science

• Preparation of novel monolithic capillary columns have shown powerful potential in analytical chemistry field.
• Various materials including ionic liquids and nanoparticles involved into capillary monolithic micro-devices are concluded.
• Click chemistry strategy applied for preparing monolithic capillary columns is reviewed.
• Recent strategies utilized in constructing different capillary monoliths for enantiomeric separation are summarized.
• Advancement of capillary monoliths for complex samples analysis is comprehensively described.

Novel column technologies involving various materials and efficient reactions have been investigated for the fabrication of monolithic capillary columns in the field of analytical chemistry. In addition to the development of these miniaturized systems, a variety of microscale separation applications have achieved noteworthy results, providing a stepping stone for new types of chromatographic columns with improved efficiency and selectivity. Three novel strategies for the preparation of capillary monoliths, including ionic liquid-based approaches, nanoparticle-based approaches and “click chemistry”, are highlighted in this review. Furthermore, we present the employment of state-of-the-art capillary monolithic stationary phases for enantioseparation, solid-phase microextraction, mixed-mode separation and immobilized enzyme reactors. The review concludes with recommendations for future studies and improvements in this field of research.

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