Hierarchically porous poly(glycidyl methacrylate) through hard sphere and high internal phase emulsion templating

Abstract

A combination of high internal phase emulsion and hard sphere templating approach was applied to prepare poly (glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) with connected porous morphology on multiple levels. Hierarchical porous structure is evident with hard template derived pores with average diameters approx. 85 μm, skeletal emulsion templated pores with average diameter approx. 3 μm and with a third level of interconnecting pores. Monoliths of polymer with hierarchical porous structure were reacted with tris(2-aminoethyl)amine to yield amino derivatives with high loadings of amino groups (8.2 mmol of amino groups per gram). Despite mild reaction conditions efficient functionalization was achieved suggesting interconnected porous structure facilitated mass transfer to and from the interior of the monoliths.