Monodisperse poly(p-chloromethylstyrene) microbeads by dispersion polymerization

In this study, an alternative dispersion polymerization method for the para isomer of chloromethylstyrene was proposed. Highly monodisperse poly(p-chloro-methylstyrene) (PCMS) particles in the size range of 1.67–3.75 μm were obtained. The monodispersity and the isolation yield of PCMS particles were significantly improved relative to the methods available in the literature. Azobisisobutyronitrile and polyacrylic acid were selected as the initiator and the steric stabilizer, respectively, in the dispersion medium composed of ethanol and methoxyethanol. The results indicated that the particle size increased with increasing initiator concentration. An increase in the stabilizer concentration led to a decrease in the particle size. The methoxyethanol/ethanol ratio was found as one of the most important parameters controlling the average size and the size distribution. Contrary to the tendencies noted in the literature, the particle size decreased with increasing polymerization temperature.