PolyHIPEs Containing Hyper-Cross-Linked Resins: Hierarchical Porosity with Broad and Versatile Sorption Properties

Polymers templated within high internal phaseemulsions (polyHIPEs) are characterized by a highly intercon-nected macroporous structure and exhibit remarkable absorptionproperties. Hyper-cross-linked resins (HCLRs) are micro/meso-porous polymers with high adsorption capacities toward organicmolecules. Here, polyHIPEs based on styrene (ST) anddivinylbenzene (DVB) and containing unmodified and amino-functionalized HLCRs based on vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) andDVB are realized using two different approaches, one based on thepost-HIPE addition and the other based on the in-HIPE addition ofthe HCLRs. The amino-functionalization of the HCLRs was usedto induce their localization on the polyHIPE’s surface. PolyHIPEscontaining the amino-functionalized HCLRs exhibited significantly enhanced specific surface areas and sorption capacities for polarvolatile organic compounds (VOCs) and CO2, and the addition of HCLRs does not negatively affect the high uptake of organicsolvents by the polyHIPEs. The polyHIPEs containing the HCLRs exhibited regenerability above 99% in five sorption cycles.Nitrogen adsorption analysis and sorption tests demonstrated that the polyHIPEs with HCLRs synergistically combine theadsorption of the micro/mesoporous HCLRs with the absorption capacities of the polyHIPEs to generate advanced sorbent systems.