Nanocomposite foams obtained by polymerization of high internal phase emulsions

Nanocomposite foams obtained by polymerization of high internal phase emulsions were investigated. The effects of a variety of particulate reinforcements, such as titania nanoparticles P25, titania nanorods (TNR) and carbon nanotubes on the morphological and physical properties of poly-HIPEs were also studied. The microstructure of the polyHIPEs were investigated by SEM and images of fractured surfaces of each sample were taken using a JSM - 5300 scanning electron microscope. The nanocomposite polyHIPEs were synthesized by the polymerization of the continuous phase of w/o HIPEs containing nanoparticles in either the organic or the aqueous internal phase. The resulting polymer foams possessed an interconnected pore structure characteristic of polyHIPEs. It was found that the presence of titania particles in the organic phase did not influence the stability of the emulsion templates and the morphology of the resulting polymer foams. The reinforced polyHIPE systems provided a simple means of improving the mechanical performance of the structures without increasing their density.