Abstract
Carboxyl-functionalized polymer microspheres with a rosin moiety were prepared through dispersion polymerization using styrene, disproportionated rosin ester, and methylacrylic acid as raw materials. The effects of dispersion medium (ethanol/water) ratio, monomer mass proportion and initiator concentration on the polymer microspheres were studied. Scanning electron microscopy, laser particle size analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the microspheres, and their carboxyl contents were determined by the conductance titration method. The adsorption of methylene blue of the microspheres was also investigated. The results showed that rosin-based carboxyl-functionalized polymer microspheres were successfully synthesized. The microspheres exhibited smooth, spherical shapes with good monodispersity and high thermal stability. The carboxyl content of the microspheres prepared under optimum conditions was 0.089 mmol·g−1, with the average particle size approximately 950 nm. With increasing carboxyl contents of the polymer microspheres, their methylene blue adsorption capacities increased. The maximum methylene blue adsorption capacity of the microspheres was 59.55 mg·g−1 in the highest carboxyl content.
Highlights
Polymer microspheres are new functional materials with some specific properties
It was found that the particle size of the polymer microspheres decreased with increasing solvent polarity in the methanol/ water system (Watanabe et al, 2010), and with an increase of the ethanol content, the size of the particles increased, whereas no significant change was observed in particle size distribution when using the ionic comonomer benzene sulfonate as a raw material and AIBN as the initiator by dispersion polymerization in an ethanol/water medium (Adelnia et al, 2013)
We investigated the effects of the reaction medium ratio on the properties of the microspheres while keeping the dispersant PVP and monomer concentrations at 15 and 17 wt.%, respectively, the AIBN concentration at 3 wt.%, and the mass ratio between St and methylacrylic acid (MAA) at 8:1
Summary
Polymer microspheres are new functional materials with some specific properties. Dispersion polymerization is a relative new method for the preparation of monodispersed polymer microspheres with particle size ranging from 0.5 to 8.0 lm. The particle size and particle size distribution of the polymer microspheres are strongly influenced by the polarity of the reaction medium. It was found that the particle size of the polymer microspheres decreased with increasing solvent polarity in the methanol/ water system (Watanabe et al, 2010), and with an increase of the ethanol content, the size of the particles increased, whereas no significant change was observed in particle size distribution when using the ionic comonomer benzene sulfonate as a raw material and AIBN as the initiator by dispersion polymerization in an ethanol/water medium (Adelnia et al, 2013)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
