Abstract
We synthesize porous polyHIPE networks with silanol functionalities in the polyHIPE backbone. These silanol functionalities are used for covalent bonding with silica aerogels embedded in the polyHIPE. Covalent bonding between silica and polyHIPE networks are confirmed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Silica aerogels covalently bonded with polyHIPE network show macroporous and mesoporous morphologies and possess excellent properties like high bendability, high elasticity, superhydrophobicity (~160°), low density (~0.128 g/cm3), and low thermal conductivity (~0.045 W/m·K). Oil absorption from water/oil mixtures and recovery of the absorbed oil (by squeezing) from flexible silica-polyHIPE networks is studied. The silica-polyHIPE is shown to absorb crude oil ~16-times its own weight and can be reused multiple times after recovery. Hence, such materials are very important for oil spill cleanup applications from aqueous systems.
Highlights
PolyHIPEs gain huge attention because simple preparation method (HIPE) and this method can be extendable for the synthesis of large size monoliths with well-demarcated porosities[18]
A water-in-oil (w/o) HIPE template was used for the preparation of polyHIPEs from the monomers TPM, ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA), styrene and DVB stabilized by Span 80
The polyHIPE networks prepared without TPM and with increasing TPM contents are clearly distinguishable based on their Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra
Summary
PolyHIPEs gain huge attention because simple preparation method (HIPE) and this method can be extendable for the synthesis of large size monoliths with well-demarcated porosities[18]. PolyHIPEs are synthesized within high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) with more than 74% porosity, using free radical polymerization (FRP) of monomers of polymers in surfactant-stabilized water-in-oil (W/O) HIPEs19; monolithic porous foams are suitable for several applications under concern. We synthesized porous polyHIPE networks with silanol functionalities in the polymer backbone, which have been used for covalent bonding with the porous hydrophobic silica network embedded in polyHIPE. We describe the simultaneous synthesis of a siloxane-functionalized polymer network within flexible polyHIPE and MTMS-based aerogel network. The elastic silica network was reinforced by the elastic macro-porous polymer at micron level via covalent bonding between them. The schematic presentation of synthesis of hydroxyl terminated polyHIPE and covalently bonded silica-polyHIPE networks as shown in the Fig. 1. The synthesized composite materials showed high flexibility, high elasticity, superhydrophobicity, and low thermal conductivity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
