Compressible and monolithic microporous polymer sponges prepared via one-pot synthesis

Abstract

Compressible and monolithic microporous polymers (MPs) are reported. MPs were prepared as monoliths via a Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reaction of 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene (TEB) with the bis(bromothiophene) monomer (PBT-Br). The polymers were reversibly compressible, and were easily cut into any form using a knife. Microscopy studies on the MPs revealed that the polymers had tubular microstructures, resembling those often found in marine sponges. Under compression, elastic buckling of the tube bundles was observed using an optical microscope. MP-0.8, which was synthesized using a 0.8:1 molar ratio of PBT-Br to TEB, showed microporosity with a BET surface area as high as 463 m2g–1. The polymer was very hydrophobic, with a water contact angle of 145° and absorbed 7–17 times its own weight of organic liquids. The absorbates were released by simple compression, allowing recyclable use of the polymer. MPs are potential precursors of structured carbon materials; for example, a partially graphitic material was obtained by pyrolysis of MP-0.8, which showed a similar tubular structure to that of MP-0.8.

Superhydrophobic and Compressible Silica-polyHIPE Covalently Bonded Porous Networks via Emulsion Templating for Oil Spill Cleanup and Recovery

“…5 and using the above mentioned equation. The obtained Young’s modulus signifies significant elastic behavior compared with that reported for similar compressible foams 30 , 31 . Compression can be done up to 76% of its original volume because it regains its original shape within 30 s after release.…”

Marine Spongin: Naturally Prefabricated 3D Scaffold-Based Biomaterial

“…The network structure of spongin fibers determines one of the most attractive features of commercial sponges—their compressibility [ 89 ]. A simple test demonstrating the resistance to strain under pressure and the flexibility of a commercial bath sponge of the species H. communis is presented in Figure 10 .…”

Superhydrophobic and Flexible Microporous Polymer Paper

“…There have been a few reports on tubular or fibrillar cross‐linked polymers, but the mechanisms for their formation have not been fully understood. We previously reported that the Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reaction of 1,3,5‐triethynylbenzene with the bis(bromothiophene) monomer produced a compressible monolith consisting of tubular polymer fibers . Our study suggested that tubular shapes were likely formed by step reactions in combination with structured self‐assembly of the reactants in the reaction mixture, such as monomers, linear oligomers, and branched polymers having reactive ethynyl groups.…”