Nanocomposite Foams from Iron Oxide Stabilized Dicyclopentadiene High Internal Phase Emulsions: Preparation and Bromination

Nanocomposite polyHIPE foams with open-cellular morphology were obtained using nanoparticles (gamma Fe2O3/Fe3O4), surfactant (Pluronic L121) or nanoparticle/surfactant stabilized dicyclopentadiene high internal phase emulsions (DCPD HIPEs). Upon curing, cavity sizes were found to vary drastically between 950 +/- 360 mu m down to 7 +/- 3 mu m depending on the HIPE formulations. As-obtained nanocomposite polyHIPE foams were functionalized using elemental bromine in THF. Upon bromination the nanoparticles are moved from the cavities surfaces into the bulk phase of the polymer scaffold, which affects the inductive-heating capability of the magnetic nanocomposite foams decreasing it by the factor of 2.