Submicro/nano porous epoxy resin fabricated via UV initiated foaming

Abstract The fabrication of submicro/nano porous thermosetting resin with defined cell size and distribution remains a challenge. Diazirine was induced into the epoxy resin matrix as the on-demand UV initiated chemical foaming agent (CFA) under room temperature. Cell dimension became tunable ranging from around 1 mm to tens nm by varying the matrix curing extent when the UV took effect. Curing extent of the matrix was monitored by measuring the rheological properties in the real time. UV foaming showed the potential to be used for the control of cell morphology in porous thermosetting materials.