Surface-area expansion with monolithic open tubular columns

• Approaches to create a monolithic porous layer on the capillary wall
• Covered sol-gel methods, thermal or photoinitiated polymers, immobilized particles
• Governing the monolithic thickness of the porous layer open tubular (PLOT) format

This review covers various approaches now available to enhance the surface area of stationary phases fabricated in the porous layer open tubular (PLOT) format for use in liquid-phase-based separation techniques and catalytic applications. We focus attention on the preparation of porous polymers (monoliths), since many procedures have already been described related to the production of PLOT columns with distinctive properties and coatings at the column wall. We discuss advantages and limitations of these methodologies with regard to materials used and the demonstrated application.