A method for hydrophilization and/or surface area enlargement of a porous base matrix comprising on its inner and/or outer surfaces a polymer (P') carrying nucleophilic groups X'. The method is characterized in (a) ethoxylating a plurality of said X' thereby transforming them to groups comprising --(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.nH, or (b) (i) ethoxylating a polymer (P'') carrying nucleophilic groups X'' thereby transforming P'' to a polyhydroxy polymer (P''') carrying a plurality of --(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.nH groups, whereafter (ii) P''' is attached to the base matrix. n is an integer .gtoreq.1. A support matrix which is obtainable by the method. The support matrix has a sufficient rigidity and swellability to permit liquid flow of a velocity >5 cm/h through the matrix when in form of particles packed to a bed or in form of a porous monolithic plug.The use of the support matrix defined in liquid chromatography, cell culturing, stepwise solid phase synthesis of organic molecules, affinity adsorption in suspensions, solid phase catalysis with an immobilized catalyst.