Facile synthesis of multifunctional Ag-nanocomposite poly(HIPE) foam via emulsion template method

Abstract

Designing efficient nanoparticle-based stabilizer that is suitable for achieving an interconnected porous monolith still remains a challenge. Herein, Ag-nanocomposite poly high-internal phase emulsion (HIPE) template was readily obtained by O/W HIPE, co-stabilized by silver nano powders (Ag-NPs) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone. Cyclohexane as oil phase, N, N′-methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent, and free-radical copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) and 2-acrylamide-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) were used in the water phase, which was initiated by potassium persulfate. Thus, Ag-nanocomposite copolymer poly(HIPE)s [Ag/P(AM-co-AMPS)] were obtained via a one-pot synthesis method. The effects of Ag-NP content and different internal phase volume on the porous composites were investigated. The morphology and structures of the composites were characterized, and the average pore size was measured to be approximately 60 μm. Furthermore, the catalytic activity was studied via catalytic degradation of the methylene blue (MB). The decolorization of the MB solution can be completed within 8 min by using the composites containing 5 wt% Ag-NPs. The composite poly(HIPE)s had certain antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria (9 mm zone of inhibition). Moreover, a compression electric sensitivity (GF = 2.05) was exhibited with an enhanced electrical conductivity. Thereby, a facile approach to multifunctional macroporous Ag-nanocomposite poly(HIPE) was presented.