Copolymer monoliths of diethyleneglycol dimethacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl -acryl ate were prepared by using the advantage of radiation initiated polymerization over the thermally initiated polymerization, namely, that it is sufficient to use only a monomer and a porogenic solvent and no initiator is needed. Besides, the reaction can take place at any desired temperature in a mold of suitable size and shape. The results showed that increase of the HEA content in the comonomer mixture (up to 18 vol%) resulted in monoliths with increased pore size and hydrophilic character. The specific surface area of these monoliths was in the order of 1 m(2)/g. The porous properties could be fine-tuned by changing the solvent. Flow rate measurements for several eluents indicated that these monoliths could be useful as chromatographic columns. This is illustrated by separation of several amino acids. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.