Surface grafted high internal phase emulsion foams for chemical separations

A method of forming a high internal phase emulsion foam, the method comprising:

• forming a high internal phase emulsion comprising an oil phase and an aqueous phase, wherein the oil phase comprises a first monomer comprising a nitroxide-containing co-monomer, a second monomer comprising 4-vinylpyridine, and a crosslinking agent, wherein the oil phase comprises from about 5 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of the total weight of the high internal phase emulsion, wherein the nitroxide-containing co-monomer is present in the oil phase in an amount from about 15 wt. % to about 50 wt. % based on the total weight of the oil phase, and the aqueous phase comprises from about 80 wt. % to about 95 wt. % of the total weight of the high internal phase emulsion;
• curing the high internal phase emulsion to form a high internal phase emulsion foam, the high internal phase emulsion foam including the first monomer in a backbone of the high internal phase emulsion foam;
• and
• following formation of the high internal phase emulsion foam, polymerizing a plurality of the second monomer via graft polymerization from a surface of the high internal phase emulsion foam, wherein the first monomer controls the polymerization of the second monomer, resulting in the formation of polymer chains comprising the plurality of the second monomer grafted at the surface, the surface comprising pore walls of the high internal phase emulsion foam, such that the polymer chains extend into pores of the high internal phase emulsion foam.