Preparation of slightly crosslinked monodisperse poly(maleic anhydride-cyclohexyl vinyl ether-divinylbenzene) functional microspheres with anhydride groups via precipitation polymerization

Abstract

Slightly crosslinked monodisperse poly(maleic anhydride-cyclohexyl vinyl ether-divinylbenzene) (MA-CHVE-DVB) microspheres were prepared via precipitation polymerization while using 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator in a mixture of methyl ethyl ketone and n-heptane without any stabilizer. The number-average diameter of the resultant poly(MA-CHVE-DVB) microspheres ranged from 0.478 to 1.386μm with a polydispersity index of 1.00 to 1.02 that depended on the feed ratios of the MA/CHVE/DVB monomers. The introduction of one electron donor monomer cyclohexyl vinyl ether strongly affected the yield, size, and morphology of these slightly crosslinked microspheres. Quinoline-type chelating resins were obtained after combining the poly(MA-CHVE-DVB) with 8-hydroxyquinoline; the adsorption properties of these materials were measured through their ability to remove Cu2+ ions from water. The poly(MA-CHVE-DVB) microspheres with low degrees of crosslinking provided more effective functional groups and therefore better ion removal capabilities. These slightly crosslinked microspheres may have applications in water treatment as well as in sensing and drug delivery.