Creation of functional materials by use of a slow crystallization process in the nonequilibrium state. I. Porous polyamide microparticles

Recently a number of investigations have focused on the self-organization process from the nonequilibrium state as a new technique that may be used to develop many functional materials. In many cases, amorphous polymers were used and semicrystalline polymers were seldom used in spite of their importance. In this study, we basically investigated the crystal structure, crystalline process, and inner structures of polyamide by using slow phase separation and crystallization process from the nonequilibrium state of the polymer solution. We were able to observe the crystalline lamella growing twisted from the center of the particle. Between these lamella layers, narrow pores were created. From this investigation, we developed a new method to create functional materials of polyamide, the semicrystalline polymer. Porous spherical particles may be properly applied to functional materials such as adsorption materials, catalyst support materials, and so on. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.