Sulfonated polyHIPE/nanoclay composites with hierarchically porous structure for efficient removal of endocrine-disrupting hormone from aqueous solution.

The objective of this study is the synthesis of macroporous polystyrene-based polyHIPE/nanoclay (p[HIPE]/NClay) monoliths and post-functionalization of the monoliths through sulfonation to improve the structural and textural properties as well as adsorption performances toward bisphenol A (BPA) as an endocrine-disrupting chemical. The adsorption tests were conducted with raw p(HIPE), nanoclay, p(HIPE)/NClay, and sulfonated samples in order to obtain insights in the adsorption mechanism. The synergy between clay embedding and sulfonation resulted in higher BPA removal performance of p(HIPE)/NClay@S sample (96% removal) when compared with the raw polyHIPE (52% removal).

Hierarchical Macroporous PolyDCPD Composites from Surface-Modified Calcite-Stabilized High Internal Phase Emulsions.

High Internal Phase Emulsions (HIPEs) of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) were prepared using mixtures of surface-modified calcite (Calcite) and a non-ionic surfactant. Twelve different emulsion formulations were created using an experimental design methodology. Three distinctive levels of the internal phase ratio, the amount of Calcite loading, and the surfactant were used to prepare the HIPEs.