Abstract
Abstract Copolymers based on glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) are considered attractive as sorbents because the epoxy groups can be easily converted into other groups. Studies involving the influence of the synthesis parameters on the morphological characteristics of these copolymers are scarce. This work investigates the synthesis of copolymers of poly(GMA-co-EGDMA) with different porosity degrees obtained by varying the synthesis parameters. GMA-EGDMA copolymers were synthesized by suspension polymerization employing varied conditions and characterized by measuring apparent density, surface area and pore volume distribution, optical and scanning electron microcopies, FT-IR, thermogravimetry and titration of epoxide rings. The copolymer with highest surface area and pore volume (260.4 m2/g and 0.5 cm3/g) was prepared employing cyclohexane as diluent, 80% EGDMA in monomeric composition and 100% of dilution degree. There was a relation between the epoxide content of the copolymers determined by titration and the residue content formed in the first decomposition stage.
Highlights
Porous polymers can be employed in many areas, among which the most common are absorption and adsorption, such as sorption of CO21 ion exchange processes[2], and support materials for immobilization of biocatalysts[3]
glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) copolymers were synthesized by aqueous suspension polymerization in a 1 L three-necked round-bottom reactor flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer and a reflux condenser
In order to prepare copolymers with different pore structures, the copolymerization of GMA and EGDMA was carried out using different diluents, crosslinker contents and monomer dilution degrees
Summary
Porous polymers can be employed in many areas, among which the most common are absorption and adsorption, such as sorption of CO21 ion exchange processes[2], and support materials for immobilization of biocatalysts[3]. Among the porous polymers extensively applied for adsorption and absorption processes and as supports are styrene-divinylbenzene (Sty-DVB) copolymers[1,2,3] These copolymers are commonly prepared by aqueous suspension polymerization, and can have gel-like or porous structures. The porosity of these copolymers can be controlled by the synthesis parameters, especially crosslinking degree, type of diluent and dilution degree[5]. Synthetic routes with a high number of steps have disadvantages related to reagent consumption and residue production
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
