Sponges based on short electrospun fibers have received significant attention due to their ultrahigh porosity, lightweight, and multifunctional characteristics. In particular, polyimide (PI) sponges have been researched due to their exceptional mechanical properties and thermal stability. Nevertheless, a number of sponges, including PI, are usually hydrophobic and synthesized in toxic, nonwater solvents (e.g., 1,4-dioxane). Conversely, hydrophilic sponges disintegrate upon contact with water. Here, we suggest a new strategy to fabricate PI sponges in water by introducing a suitable surfactant, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) (sPI sponges). With less than 1 wt % of SDBS with respect to PI short fibers, they can be homogeneously dispersed in water and mixed well with poly(amic acid) (PAA) solution. The synthesized sponge, depending on the concentration of SDBS, showed hydrophilic properties and substantial water uptake above 5000%. The hydrophilic properties of the sponges, which are not common, and the preparation from aqueous solution introduce new research opportunities. Such hydrophilic sponges are particularly special because they do not swell in contact with water, which makes them dimensionally stable. The methods presented here can serve as a milestone for the future development of various kinds of hydrophilic sponges applied for various applications, ranging from tissue engineering to oil/water separation.

中文翻译：

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具有量身定制的亲水性的超轻，结构稳定的电纺海绵作为新型材料平台

基于短电纺纤维的海绵由于其超高的孔隙率，轻质和多功能特性而受到了广泛的关注。特别是，由于其优异的机械性能和热稳定性，已经对聚酰亚胺（PI）海绵进行了研究。但是，包括PI在内的许多海绵通常是疏水的，并且是在有毒的非水溶剂（例如1,4-二恶烷）中合成的。相反，亲水性海绵在与水接触时会崩解。在这里，我们建议通过引入合适的表面活性剂十二烷基苯磺酸钠（SDBS）（sPI海绵）在水中制造PI海绵的新策略。相对于PI短纤维，具有小于1wt％的SDBS，它们可以均匀地分散在水中并与聚（酰胺酸）（PAA）溶液充分混合。合成海绵 取决于SDBS的浓度，显示出亲水性和大于5000％的大量吸水率。海绵的亲水性并不常见，从水溶液中制备也带来了新的研究机会。这种亲水性海绵特别特殊，因为它们在与水接触时不会溶胀，这使它们在尺寸上稳定。本文介绍的方法可作为未来亲水海绵开发的里程碑，这些海绵适用于从组织工程到油/水分离的各种应用。这种亲水性海绵特别特殊，因为它们在与水接触时不会溶胀，这使它们在尺寸上稳定。本文介绍的方法可作为未来亲水海绵开发的里程碑，这些海绵适用于从组织工程到油/水分离的各种应用。这种亲水性海绵特别特殊，因为它们在与水接触时不会溶胀，这使它们在尺寸上稳定。本文介绍的方法可作为未来亲水海绵开发的里程碑，这些海绵适用于从组织工程到油/水分离的各种应用。