Water-soluble salt particle containing compositions and porous materials made therefrom
AssigneeNorthwestern University
InventorsAdam E. Jakus, Ramille N. Shah, Nicholas R. Geisendorfer
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Abstract
Compositions for forming porous materials and three-dimensional objects, including fibers, films and coatings made from the materials are provided. Also provided are methods for forming the porous objects from the compositions. The compositions include a solvent, a polymer binder that is soluble in the solvent, and solid particles that are insoluble in the solvent. The solid particles include water-soluble salt particles that can be selectively dissolved from objects made from the compositions to render the resulting structures porous.
Claims20
A method of forming a porous material system, the method comprising:
- using a viscous composition comprising a solids content to form a three-dimensional object, the viscous composition comprising a viscosity of 1 pascal second or more, and the solids content comprising:
- solid particles, at least some of which are water-soluble salt particles;
- and
- a polymer, the polymer acting as a binder for holding the solid particles together;
- wherein the solid particles are at least about 20 vol. % of the solids content;
- after the forming the three-dimensional object, hydrating the water-soluble salt particles by exposing the three-dimensional object to a salt-hydrating solution, wherein the water-soluble salt particles are hydratable salt particles that do not dissociate but undergo an increase in volume due to hydration in the salt-hydrating solution;
- and
- after the hydrating step, dissolving at least a portion of the hydrated, water-soluble salt particles in water, thereby forming the porous material system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.