Polymerised high internal phase emulsions for fluid separation applications

Emulsion templated macroporous polymers, called poly(merised) high internal phase emulsions (polyHIPEs), are considered for a wide variety of applications ranging from supports for chemical reactions to bone grafts; however this review focuses only on applications of polyHIPEs in the field of fluid separations. PolyHIPEs are produced by polymerisation or solidification of the continuous phase of a HIPE and removal of the internal emulsion phase. They possess an interconnected pore structure giving them a significant permeability. This review provides a brief overview of what polyHIPEs are and then examines their potential for fluid separation applications. So far polyHIPEs are used as filters, membranes, ion exchange columns for protein purification, chromatography, chemical scavenging, absorption and for breaking emulsions.