High internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), also known as highly concentrated emulsions (HCEs), are usually defined as emulsions with volume fraction higher than 0.74. Porous polymers known as polyHIPEs can be produced by polymerizing the continuous phase of the HIPE and then extracting the dispersed phase. PolyHIPE systems have been used in several applications, such as membranes, hydrogels, scaffolds for tissue engineering and cell culture, and catalyst supports. PolyHIPEs have a complex morphology consisting of cavities (voids, also called as pores) originally occupied by the emulsion droplets. Also, interconnecting holes usually exist between neighboring voids, called windows or pore throats. The interconnectivity of polyHIPEs is controlled by window size and frequency. In this talk, we will discuss the parameters that influence the interconnectivity of polyHIPEs. Specifically, we will discuss the effect of interdroplet interaction (affecting flattened area and interdroplet layer thickness between neighboring droplets as well as the interdroplet layer drainage), interfacial film strength, and droplet arrangement on window size and frequency.

Interconnectivity of porous polymers produced via high internal phase emulsion templating

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