Porous epoxy thermosetting polymers obtained by a phase separation processin the presence of emulsifiers

Macroporous epoxy thermosetting polymers, prepared by a polymerization - in duced phase separation method and stabilized by emulsifiers were investigat ed. In such a method, phase separation and the resulting morphologies are c ontrolled by the polymerization kinetics, the cloud point and the viscosity evolution. Epoxy-amine systems containing different concentrations of emul sifiers and water are prepared. The morphology is analyzed by Scanning Elec tron Microscopy and quantified by image analysis. It is shown that the emul sifier enhances the amount of water miscible in the matrix and greatly decr eases the pore size and most all the pore size distribution of porosities.