PolyHIPEs are porous emulsion-templated polymers that are usually synthesized within surfactant-stabilized water-in-oil high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). Several different systems of highly porous hydrogel polyHIPEs (HG-PHs), ionic and non-ionic, were synthesized within oil-in-water HIPEs and many proved to be superabsorbent. HG-PHs combining an ionic monomer (methacrylic acid (MAA)) and a non-ionic monomer (hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)), as well as other, similar HG-PHs, exhibited high, pH-responsive water uptakes. These extraordinary uptakes were ascribed to a hydrogel-swelling-driven void expansion mechanism. Self-crosslinking in HG-PHs was introduced through the use of <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA), which can self-crosslink through the formation of methylene radicals during free radical polymerization. The HG-PH synthesis route, crosslinking route, and comonomer content had significant effects on the water uptakes and mechanical properties.

Responsive, high porosity hydrogels through emulsion templating

252nd National Meeting (2016)

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