Revolutionary Porous Composite Materials
Polymerized high internal phase emulsions (polyHIPEs) represent a class of highly porous polymer foams that can be synthesized using the solvent interfacial trapping method when monomers serve as the continuous oil phase. In this approach, graphene-stabilized water-in-monomer emulsions with high internal phase ratios (>74% aqueous phase) are polymerized to create composite materials where graphene sheets are incorporated into the cell walls of the resulting porous structure.
The exfoliated graphene functions as a 2D surfactant, stabilizing the high internal phase emulsion and subsequently becoming integrated into the polymer matrix during polymerization.
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Exceptional Material Properties
This results in lightweight, electrically conductive foams with mechanical robustness. The choice of monomer allows for tuning of the final composite properties across a wide range of applications.
Key Publications
PolyHIPE Foams from Pristine Graphene: Strong, Porous, and Electrically Conductive Materials Templated by a 2D Surfactant
Brown, E.E.B.; Woltornist, S.J.; Adamson, D.H.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 2020, 580, 700-708
Comprehensive study demonstrating the formation of graphene-templated polyHIPEs with systematic investigation of the relationship between emulsion composition, porosity, and resulting mechanical and electrical properties.
Polymer/Pristine Graphene Based Composites: From Emulsions to Strong, Electrically Conducting Foams
Woltornist, S.J.; Carrillo, J.-M.Y.; Xu, T.; Dobrynin, A.V.; Adamson, D.H.
Macromolecules 2015, 48, 687-693
Foundational work establishing the methodology for creating electrically conductive polymer foams from graphene-stabilized emulsions, demonstrating the relationship between emulsion stability and final composite properties.
Additional Key Publications
Graphene’s Effect on the Mechanism of Radical Polymerization with In Situ Graphene Composites
Ward, S.P.; Adamson, D.H. • Carbon Trends 2022, 9, 100233
Self-Assembled Graphene Composites for Flow-Through Filtration
Varghese, D.; Bento, J.L.; Ward, S.P.; Adamson, D.H. • ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2020, 12, 29692-29699
Computational Studies
Theoretical Framework
Computational investigations provide fundamental insights into the emulsion-to-foam transition mechanism and the role of graphene sheets in determining electrical and mechanical properties.
Electrical Conductivity of Graphene–Polymer Composite Foams: A Computational Study
Wang, Z.; Tian, Y.; Liang, H.; Adamson, D.H.; Dobrynin, A.V.
Macromolecules 2019, 52, 7379-7385
From Graphene-like Sheet Stabilized Emulsions to Composite Polymeric Foams: Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Wang, Z.; Liang, H.; Adamson, D.H.; Dobrynin, A.V.
Macromolecules 2018, 51, 7360-7367
Theoretical investigation of the emulsion-to-foam transition mechanism and the role of graphene sheets in determining the electrical and mechanical properties of the resulting composite foams.
Related Properties and Applications
Thermal and Electrical Properties of Nanocomposites Based on Self-Assembled Pristine Graphene
Bento, J.L.; Brown, E.B.; Woltornist, S.J.; Adamson, D.H.
Advanced Functional Materials 2017, 27, 1604277
Properties of Pristine Graphene Composites Arising from the Mechanism of Graphene-Stabilized Emulsion Formation
Woltornist, S.J.; Adamson, D.H.
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2016, 55, 6777-6782
Patent Portfolio
Graphene/Graphite Polymer Composite Foam Derived from Emulsions Stabilized by Graphene Kinetic Trapping
GRANTED
US Patent 10,832,828 • Granted 2020 • University of Connecticut
US Patent 9,646,735 • Granted 2017 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Steven Woltornist, Andrey V. Dobrynin
Advanced method for creating pristine graphene/graphite polymer composite foams using interface trapping to form stable emulsions as templates. The resulting materials exhibit exceptional mechanical properties with low densities and high electrical conductivities, enabling applications in lightweight building materials, supercapacitor electrodes, and conductive catalyst supports.
Boron Nitride Polymer Composite Foam Derived from Emulsions Stabilized by Boron Nitride Kinetic Trapping
GRANTED
US Patent 11,355,259 • Granted 2022 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Steven Woltornist, Andrey V. Dobrynin
Extension of interface trapping methodology to hexagonal boron nitride for flame-resistant, thermally conductive composite materials with electrical insulation properties.
Ceramic Foams with Imbedded Self-Assembled Electrically Conductive Pristine Graphene Networks
PENDING
US Patent Application 20220194858A1 • Filed 2021 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Garrett Kraft
Porous ceramic foams with self-assembled pristine graphene networks created through interfacial trapping in ceramic sol-gel systems, providing electrical conductivity and Joule heating capabilities for catalyst supports, thermoelectrics, and porous electrodes.