https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2012-12031-0
Regular Article
Formulation and mechanical properties of emulsion-based model polymer foams
1
CRPP, UPR 8641, CNRS, F-33600, Pessac, France
2
CRPP, UPR 8641, Université Bordeaux, F-33600, Pessac, France
3
I2M, UMR 5295, Université Bordeaux, F-33400, Talence, France
4
I2M, UMR 5295, CNRS, F-33400, Talence, France
5
I2M, UMR 5295, Arts et Metiers ParisTech, F-33400, Talence, France
6
ICMCB, UPR 9048, CNRS, F-33600, Pessac, France
7
ICMCB, UPR 9048, Université Bordeaux, F-33600, Pessac, France
* e-mail: schmitt@crpp-bordeaux.cnrs.fr
Received:
26
January
2012
Accepted:
5
April
2012
Published online:
26
April
2012
We produce cellular material based on the formulation of model emulsions whose drop size and composition may be continuously tuned. The obtained solid foams are characterized by narrow cell and pore size distributions in direct relation with the emulsion structure. The mechanical properties are examined, by varying independently the cell size and the foam density, and compared to theoretical predictions. Surprisingly, at constant density, Young’s modulus depends on the cell size. We believe that this observation results from the heterogeneous nature of the solid material constituting the cell walls and propose a mean-field approach that allows describing the experimental data. We discuss the possible origin of the heterogeneity and suggest that the presence of an excess of surfactant close to the interface results in a softer polymer layer near the surface and a harder layer in the bulk.
Key words: Soft Matter: Polymers and Polyelectrolytes
© EDP Sciences, SIF, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2012