pH-responsive high internal phase emulsions stabilized by core cross-linked star (CCS) polymers

Well-defined core cross-linked star (CCS) polymers of poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) were prepared via cross-linking copolymerization in an aqueous-based dispersion polymerization system, mediated by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The synthesized CCS polymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and conductivity and zeta potential measurements. The use of PDMAEMA CCS polymers as effective emulsifiers for oil-in-water emulsions was investigated. Interfacial tension measurements showed that the CCS polymer reduced the interfacial tension between water and oil in a pH-dependent manner. Gelled high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) were formed at high oil fractions (80–89 vol%) and over a wide range of pH values (2–12). The HIPEs were characterized by conductivity, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and rheology. The emulsion properties in terms of oil droplet size, long-term stability and rheology were pH-dependent. Complete demulsification of HIPEs was easily realized 2 min after the addition of base. The CCS-stabilized HIPEs were used as templates to prepare porous hydrophilic polymers by polymerizing the monomers in the continuous aqueous phase. The study presented herein reveals that responsive CCS polymers can be used as effective stabilizers for the formation of responsive HIPEs, which have a wide range of applications.