GMA‐based emulsion‐templated solid foams: Influence of co‐crosslinker on morphology and mechanical properties. Issue 21 (7th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rezanavaz, Roya; Fee, Conan J.; Dimartino, Simone
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied polymer science. Volume 135:Issue 21(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-02-07
• Subjects: colloids -- crosslinking -- mechanical properties -- photopolymerization -- porous materials; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/app.46295
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8995

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Highly open porous polymer foams formed from high internal phase emulsions (polyHIPEs) are attracting significant interest because of their potential applications in many areas of advanced materials science. In this work, the influence of the crosslinker or co‐crosslinkers of different molecular weights on the morphology and mechanical properties of polyHIPEs containing glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was studied. Several poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) crosslinkers were considered. The results show that introducing higher molecular weight crosslinkers into polyHIPEs produces a more open structure, with significantly increased compression strength and deformation at breakage. This eliminated the undesirable brittleness and chalkiness commonly found in polyHIPE materials. The Young's modulus of GMA‐based polyHIPEs containing 40% poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate increased by 50% and the crush strength by 400% when compared with traditional GMA/ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate polyHIPEs. This improvement in mechanical properties is expected to improve the suitability of polyHIPEs for use in a wide range of applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2018, 135, 46295. Abstract :