Electron microscopic observation of uniform macroporous particles. I. effect of seed latex type and diluent

Abstract

Uniform and macroporous polymer particles in the size range of 5–21 μm were prepared by a multistep seeded polymerization method. The uniform polystyrene particles in the size range of 1.9–7.5 μm were used as the seed particles in the preparation of macroporous beads. The seed particles with different sizes and molecular weights were produced by dispersion polymerization, by changing the type of dispersion medium and the initiator concentration. In the synthesis of macroporous particles, a two-step swelling procedure was employed. The seed latexes were first swollen by a low molecular-weight organic agent (i.e., dibutyl phthalate, DBP), then by a divinylbenzene–ethylvinylbenzene isomer mixture including an oil phase soluble initiator (i.e., benzoyl peroxide). The porous structure in the final beads was achieved by the polymerization of the monomer phase within the swollen seed particles including a mixture of linear polystyrene and DBP. The initiator concentration in the repolymerization step, the seed latex type (i.e., the diameter and the molecular weight of seed latex), DBP/seed latex, and the monomer/seed latex ratios were changed to achieve uniform polymer beads with different average sizes and pore structures. The average size, the size distribution, and the surface morphology of final beads were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The internal structure of the beads were analyzed by Transmission Electron Microscopy. The results indicated that the average size of the final particles increased with increasing the seed latex diameter, DBP/seed latex, and monomer/seed latex ratios. The average pore size decreased with decreasing the molecular weight of the seed latex and increasing the DBP/seed latex and monomer/seed latex ratios. These tendencies were explained by the viscosity change of the porogen solution used in the repolymerization step. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 2271–2290, 1999