Nanoporous polymer networks based on N-vinylpyrrolidone

A method of preparing nanoporous polymer networks containing N-vinylpyrrolidone units via the crosslinking radical copolymerization in bulk performed in the presence of amphiphilic N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers with the branched morphology and different physicochemical characteristics is developed. It is shown that macromolecular nanoobjects may be extracted from polymer composites using good solvents, such as chloroform and isopropyl alcohol. The physicomechanical, thermal, and diffusion–sorption properties of polymer composites before and after their extraction are compared. SEM and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption measurements reveal that nanosized pores are contained in the network copolymers after extraction of the polymer additives. The specific surface area, total pore volume, pore size, and pore-size distribution are determined. The maximum specific surface area of polymer networks attains ~26 m2/g, and mesopores compose the main type of pores.