Interconnected
macroporous polymers were prepared by copolymerizing
methyl acrylate (MA) via Pickering high internal phase emulsion (HIPE)
templates with modified silica particles. The pore structure of the
obtained polymer foams was observed by field-emission scanning electron
microscopy (FE-SEM). Gas permeability was characterized to evaluate
the interconnectivity of macroporous polymers. The polymerization
shrinkage of continuous phase tends to form open pores while the solid
particles surrounding the droplets act as barriers to produce closed
pores. These two conflicting factors are crucial in determining the
interconnectivity of macroporous polymers. Thus, poly-Pickering HIPEs
with high permeability and well-defined pore structure can be achieved
by tuning the MA content, the internal phase fraction, and the content
of modified silica particles
