I synthesized polyHIPE polymers for my bacherol’s thesis, which are highly porous polymers made through photoinitiated radical polymerization of HIPE emulsion. HIPE emulsions are emulsions that must contain at least 74,05 % by volume of the internal phase. By modifying the recipe, we can synthesize polyHIPE with different porosities. I synthesized 80 % polyHIPE. The polymers themselves can also be modified after polymerization to achieve properties for desired applications. I modified them with nanocellulose.
I tested the synthesized polyHIPE using HPLC system to determine which samples are suitable for further modification with nanocellulose. After loading nanocellulose onto the samples, I tested them again using HPLC system, including pH transitions, comparing the results with previous measurements. Through these analyses, I wanted to evaluate whether nanocellulose binds to polyHIPE and if the binding is chemical or adsorption and not just partial blockage of pores.
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