Macroporous ZnO foams by high internal phase emulsion technique: synthesis and catalytic activity

Zinc(II) oxide nanoparticles were used for the stabilization of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)-water-based high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), which were subsequently cured using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The morphology of the resulting ZnO-pDCPD nanocomposite foams was investigated in correlation to the nanoparticle loading and nanoparticle surface chemistry. While hydrophilic ZnO nanoparticles were found to be unsuitable for stabilizing the HIPE, oleic acid coated, yet hydrophobic ZnO nanoparticles were effective HIPE stabilizers, yielding polymer foams with ZnO nanoparticles located predominately at their surface. These inorganic/organic hybrid foam-materials were subsequently calcined at 550 °C for 15 min to obtain inorganic macroporous ZnO foams with a morphology reminiscent to the original hybrid foam, and a specific surface area of 1.5 m(2) g(-1). Longer calcination time (550 °C, 15 h) resulted in a sea urchin like morphology of the ZnO foams, characterized by higher specific surface area of 5.5 m(2) g(-1). The latter foam type showed an appealing catalytic performance in the catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) process for the destruction of bisphenol A.