Synthesis and characterization of macroporous glycidyl methacrylate-divinylbenzene copolymer beads

Abstract A series of macroporous copolymer beads were synthesized by suspension copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) with divinylbenzene (DVB) in the presence of various diluents to act as precipitants. The effect of diluents on the surface appearance and the pore structure of copolymer beads was studied. The macroporous copolymer beads which have large specific surface area and pore volume could be prepared in the presence of an alcohol such as 4-methyl-2-pentanol as a diluent. While many cracks were formed in the copolymer beads when a conventional plasticizer for polymers was used, and smooth skin layers were formed on the surface of the beads in the presence of a hydrocarbon. It was found that the skin layer was formed when the interfacial tension between diluent and continuous phase is larger than that between monomers and continuous phase.