Ultra-low density porous polystyrene monolith: facile preparation and superior application

Jing, P; Fang, X; Yan, J; Guo, Jie; Fang, Yu

HERO ID

3588030

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2013

HERO ID 3588030
In Press No
Year 2013
Title Ultra-low density porous polystyrene monolith: facile preparation and superior application
Authors Jing, P; Fang, X; Yan, J; Guo, Jie; Fang, Yu
Volume 1
Issue 35
Page Numbers 10135-10141
Abstract Ultra-low density porous polystyrene monoliths have been prepared via using water/styrene gel-emulsions, which were stabilized by a low-molecular mass gelator (LMMG), as templates. It was demonstrated that the porous materials as prepared possess a number of superior features such as highly adjustable internal structure and density, the lowest density could be lower than 0.01 g cm(-3). Moreover, such materials can be used as excellent absorbents for many organic liquids including viscous oils like mineral oil and high-density oils such as dichloromethane. In particular, the absorption process is fast, selective and efficient when they are used in the purification of oil contaminated water. Importantly, the oils absorbed in the absorbent can be easily squeezed out, and furthermore the wet absorbent as obtained can be reused by suitable washing and natural drying. More importantly, the LMMG-based gel-emulsions employed as templates are simple in preparation, only mixing and agitation at ambient temperature are required. Moreover, further treatment of the wet porous materials as prepared from the templates is just washing and natural drying, which is completely different from those such as freeze-drying or supercritical drying widely adopted by others in the preparation of low density materials via routine approaches. It is believed that the LMMG-based gel-emulsion template method developed in the present work may have created a novel and facile way for preparing low density materials with ideal properties.
Doi 10.1039/c3ta11761h
Wosid WOS:000323132700011
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Journal:JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A 2050-7488
Is Public Yes