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Controlled Synthesis and Fluorescence Tracking of Highly Uniform PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Microgels

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Controlling Polymerization-Induced Phase Separation in the Synthesis of Porous Gels.

Yanxia Feng¹, Noel Ringeisen¹, Eric R Dufresne^2,3

¹Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich ZH-8093, Switzerland.

|December 2, 2025

Summary

Researchers explored polymerization-induced phase separation (PIPS) to create porous gels. Controlling solvent quality and precursor concentration allows tuning pore size and absorption for advanced materials.

Keywords:

PEGDA overlap concentration phase separation polymer gel porosity superporous gel

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Published on: April 16, 2018

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Chemistry

Background:

Porous gels are vital in engineering and biomedical fields.
Polymerization-induced phase separation (PIPS) is a promising method for creating porous gels.
Understanding PIPS control is crucial for material design.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically investigate factors influencing PIPS in poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate gels.
To understand the role of solvent quality, precursor molecular weight, and concentration on phase separation.
To develop a predictive theory for PIPS in polymerizing gels.

Main Methods:

Investigated phase separation in polymerizing poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate gels.
Systematically varied solvent quality, precursor molecular weight, and polymer concentration.
Analyzed the relationship between these parameters and resulting gel pore structure.

Main Results:

Phase separation occurs below the polymer overlap concentration.
Solvent quality dictates pore geometry: better solvents yield smaller pores, while poorer solvents create superporous gels.
Demonstrated tunable pore sizes and absorption properties.

Conclusions:

A predictive theory for PIPS in polymerizing gels was proposed.
Results offer a framework for rational design of porous gels with tailored properties.
Findings advance the understanding and application of PIPS in materials science.