Highly Porous Polymeric Foam of Maleimide-Termiated Poly(arylene ether sulfone) Oligomers via High Internal Phase Emulsions

PolyHIPEs are highly porous polymeric form, prepared through emulsion templating by polymerizing the continuous phase of high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). A maleimide-terminated aryl ether sulfone oligomer (MAPES) was copolymerized with divinylbenzene (DVB) in the continuous phase, using a mixed surfactants system (sorbitan monooleate (Span80), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid sodium salt (DDBSS)), and peroxide initiator, to improve CO2 adsorption and the mechanical properties of obtained materials. PolyHIPEs were prepared by two different ratios of mixed surfactants; (SPAN80, DDBSS, and CTAB; 6.3, 0.4, and 0.3 wt%, which was denoted as 7s) and (SPAN80, DDBSS, and CTAB; 11.3, 0.4, and 0.3 wt%, which was denoted as 12s). 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt% of maleimide-terminated aryl ether sulfone oligomer were copolymerized with DVB. All PolyHIPE nanocomposites foam were characterized for phase morphology, thermal behavior, surface area, mechanical properties and adsorption of CO2 by using SEM, TG-DTA, N2 adsorption-desorption, LLOYD universal testing machine and CO2 adsorption unit, respectively. The obtained PolyHIPEs showed an open cell and a secondary pore structure with surface areas of approximately 400m2/g. CO¬2 adsorption tests were characterized by pilot gasification unit and the obtained materials showed higher adsorption than neat poly(DVB) without MAPES. Compressive modulus test of the materials showed a higher modulus than for poly(DVB) PolyHIPEs.