An emulsion-templated macroporous polymer, a polyHIPE (PH), is typically synthesized through free radical polymerization within the external phase of a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE), an emulsion containing more than 74% internal phase (individually dispersed droplets) [1,2]. Typically, emulsion templating generates macroporous structures with voids, ranging in size from a few micrometers to hundreds of micrometers, that are highly interconnected through holes in the polymer walls. Hydrophobic PHs are typically synthesized thorough polymerization of the monomers located in the organic external phase of water-in-oil (w/o) HIPEs while hydrogel PHs (HG-PHs) are typically synthesized thorough polymerization of the monomers located in the aqueous external phase of oil-in-water (o/w) HIPEs. Poly(urethane urea) PHs were recently synthesized using step-growth polymerization with polyols and isocyanates located in the oil phase of w/o HIPEs [3]. Most recently, PHs were synthesized using interfacial step-growth polymerization with renewable resource polysaccharides (alginate, pectin, chitosan, or dextran) or polyphenols (tannic acid or lignin) in the aqueous external phase and isocyanates in the organic internal phase of o/w HIPEs [4]. The resulting open-cell structures were successfully used as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications (a) while the resulting closed-cell structures were used to encapsulate solvents or phase change materials for energy storage and release applications (b).<br/>

Emulsion-templated renewable resource polymers: Open-cell scaffolds and closed-cell encapsulation

255th National Meeting (2018)

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