Structure of W/O-microemulsion templated polymer networks

The droplet phase of a water-in-oil microemulsion is used as a matrix to create amphiphilic polymer network structures from a poly(oxyethylene)-poly(isoprene)-poly(oxyethylene) triblock copolymer bearing polymerizable methacrylate end groups. Conductivity measurements and freeze fracture electron microscopy are used to obtain information about the structure of these gels. The droplet structure of the underlying microemulsion is only preserved for low droplet and polymer concentration. For higher concentrations the crosslinking reaction can induce the formation of a bicontinuous structure.