Seeded polymerization as a method for producing hollow monodisperse microspheres

Crosslinked hollow monodisperse microspheres with diameters of 1.9–5.9 μm and one- or two-layer shells, with the layers being based on polymers of different natures, are produced by one- and two-stage seeded copolymerization of styrene and/or methyl methacrylate with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate or allyl methacrylate as crosslinking agents. Factors determining the morphology and dispersity of the microspheres are revealed. It is shown that, when, at the final stage of the synthesis, the content of a crosslinking agent in the reaction mixture is at least 50 wt %, the produced microspheres retain their size and morphology after exposure in toluene and dimethylformamide.