emulsiontemplated

Emulsion templated refers to materials produced by forming a templating emulsion around which a continuous phase is solidified, followed by removal of the dispersed droplets to yield a porous network. The approach is closely associated with high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), in which the internal phase occupies a large volume, typically more than 74%, and the continuous phase forms the solid matrix after polymerization or setting.

In practice, a HIPE is prepared with a continuous phase containing monomers or precursors, crosslinkers, and surfactants to stabilize the droplets of the dispersed phase. After polymerization or gelation, the internal phase is extracted or evaporated, leaving a macroporous foam. Pore size is governed by the size of the emulsion droplets and can range from sub-micron to tens of microns; porosity is often high, commonly in the 70–95% range, with interconnected pore networks that enable fluid flow.

The technique is widely used to produce polymeric foams known as polyHIPEs, but it can be extended to inorganic or carbon materials and even ceramics by templating with emulsions and then converting or calcining the solidified matrix. This versatility yields interconnected macroporous structures with tunable mechanical properties and surface areas suitable for various applications.

Typical properties include high porosity, interconnected macroporosity, and tunable pore size, with mechanical performance dependent on the crosslinking density and material composition. Processing variables such as surfactant type, oil-to-water ratio, and post-treatment influence shrinkage, stability, and durability.

Applications span chromatography monoliths and adsorbents, catalysis supports, tissue engineering scaffolds, sensors, energy storage electrodes, filtration, and other separation or reactive systems that benefit from open pore networks. See also high internal phase emulsions and emulsion polymerization.