Methacrylate-based polymer foams with controllable connectivity, pore shape, pore size and polydispersity

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Biodegradable polymer foams are crucial for various industrial applications.
• Tailoring foam properties like pore connectivity and polydispersity is essential for specific uses.
• Current synthesis methods may lack precise control over foam microstructure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a microfluidic approach for synthesizing polymer foams with controlled structures.
• To investigate the influence of synthesis parameters on foam properties.
• To produce biodegradable polymer foams with tailor-made characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of water-in-monomer emulsions using microfluidics.
• Polymerization of 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate (1,4-BDDMA) via controlled initiation.
• Manipulation of microfluidic parameters to control pore shape, size, and polydispersity.

Main Results:

• Monodisperse open- and closed-cell poly(1,4-BDDMA) foams with spherical or hexagonal pores were synthesized.
• Pore diameters were controlled from approximately 70 μm to 120 μm using a single microfluidic chip.
• Polymer foams with controllable polydispersity were successfully produced.

Conclusions:

• Microfluidics offers a versatile platform for fabricating polymer foams with designed microstructures.
• The developed method enables precise control over key foam characteristics, including pore morphology and size distribution.
• This approach facilitates the production of advanced biodegradable polymer foams for specialized industrial applications.