Porous epoxy nanocomposite monoliths

A method of preparing a porous material, the method comprising:

• preparing a mixture, the mixture comprising:
• from about 10 to about 30% by mass of a matrix material,
• from about 20 to about 60% by mass of a plurality of particles,
• from about 20 to about 60% by mass of a porogen, and
• from about 1 to about 10% by mass of an interfacial compatibilizer;
• mixing the mixture to trigger a phase separation of the mixture into a bicontinuous emulsion, wherein the bicontinuous emulsion is in the form of a paste having a viscosity that does not allow for macrophase separation during curing;
• wherein the matrix material and the porogen are phase separated in the bicontinuous emulsion;
• wherein the interfacial compatibilizer has a tendency to segregate to an interface between the porogen and the matrix material in the bicontinuous emulsion;
• wherein the plurality of particles have a tendency to segregate to the matrix material or the interface between the porogen and the matrix material in the bicontinuous emulsion;
• placing the bicontinuous emulsion into a form;
• initiating a solidification of the matrix material during which the porogen remains nonvolatile and the matrix material and the porogen remain phase separated and bicontinuous;
• and
• obtaining the porous material.