Pore size modification of macroporous crosslinked poly(dicyclopentadiene)

Abstract

This article describes the pore size modification and in situ surface functionalization of macroporous crosslinked poly(dicyclopentadiene), produced by chemically induced phase separation, with norbornene-functionalized polyethylene glycol) telechelic oligomers. The microstructure of the open porosity materials produced with this technique consisted of agglomerated particles. The incorporation of these telechelic oligomers allowed a substantial decrease in the pore size and a related increase in the internal surface area. These functionalized oligomers acted as stabilizers around the primary particles produced by phase separation and blocked their growth so that the materials resulting from the agglomeration of these smaller particles showed finer microstructures. The resulting porous materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, density measurements, nitrogen adsorption, and mercury porosimetry. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.