Crosslinked Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) by Emulsion Templating: Influence of Crosslinker on Microcellular Structure

• Published in: Journal of polymers and the environment Vol. 20; no. 4; pp. 1095 - 1102
• Main Authors: Paljevac, Muzafera, Jeřabek, Karel, Krajnc, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01-12-2012; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Crosslinking; Emulsion polymerization; Emulsions; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Free radicals; Holes; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Materials Science; Membranes; Monomers; Original Paper; Polymer Sciences; Polymerization; Polymers; Porosity; Porous materials; Microcellular porous polymers; Membranes; Poly(2-hydoxyethyl methacrylate); PolyHIPE; High internal phase emulsions
• ISSN: 1566-2543; 1572-8919; 1572-8900
• DOI: 10.1007/s10924-012-0524-4

The synthesis of microcellular porous polymers based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) by free radical polymerisation of a continuous phase of high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) is reported.
N,N’
-methylene bisacrylamide (MBAA) and glutaraldehyde are used as crosslinking agents. GA is added to the monomer phase either during the emulsion preparation or post polymerisation crosslinking of HEMA is performed. The crosslinker influences the morphological structure of porous poly(HEMA) materials. In the case of using MBAA as the crosslinker, homogeneous polyHIPE structure is obtained, with average cavities diameter approximately 8 μm and interconnecting pore diameter approximately 3 μm. In the case of using GA in situ crosslinking a polyHIPE is obtained exhibiting cavities of diameter approximately 12 μm and interconnecting pores of approximately 3 μm. Post polymerisation crosslinking with GA influence the structural features resulting in a different morphology. Samples are characterised using FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption and swelling behaviour measurements. Polymers are prepared in the form of monoliths and membranes.