Synthesis and Characterization of PolyHIPEs Composites with Silica and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

This study investigated the synthesis and modification of the properties of polyHIPEs by incorporating co-additives into the polymer matrix i.e. silica (SiO2)nanoparticles (1 wt%) to improve physical and mechanical properties and iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (5, 10 and 15 wt%) to induce magnetic and heavy ion adsorption properties. PolyHIPEs composites were prepared in water in oil (w/o) emulsion system using the ratio of organic phase to aqueous phase of 20 to 80 vol%. The physical and mechanical properties of the polyHIPEs composites were found to decrease with SiO2 and Fe3O4 addition while the magnetic and adsorption properties increased with increasing Fe3O4 contents. The composites with 1 wt% SiO2 and 15 wt% Fe3O4 exhibited the highest saturated magnetization at 12.9 emu/g and they could be used for adsorption of iron ions (Fe3+) in iron(III) sulfate solution with 98.3 % adsorption at equilibrium.