The incorporation of polar monomers in copolymers based on styrene and divinylbenzene obtained from glycerol suspension polymerization

Porous copolymer networks based on styrene (STY) and divinylbenzene (DVB) containing polar monomer (methacrylamide — MAM, methacrylic acid — MAA or acrylonitrile — ACN) were prepared by suspension polymerization using glycerol as a dispersant medium. Poly(styrene-co-methacrylamide-co-divinylbenzene), poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid-co-divinylbenzene) and poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile-co-divinylbenzene) were synthesized using mixtures of toluene with 2-butanone, toluene and 2-butanone and n-heptane with ethylacetate, respectively at different dilutions: 50%, 100% and 120% (v/v). The copolymers were characterized by bulk density, infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and elemental analysis (CHN). Morphological features of the copolymer pearls were evaluated by microscopic analysis and correlations between porous structure and parameters of reaction were found. The copolymers presented high incorporation of polar monomers. The pearl porosities and visual appearances had a strict relation with the monomer type and the dilution degree employed in synthesizing them.