• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.233-239
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• 2004

We prepared thermally robust fully crosslinked poly(methyl methacrylate-co-divinyl benzene) ［poly(MMA-co-DVB)］microspheres successfully by precipitation polymerization in the absence of a stabilizing agent. The DVB concentration plays a pivotal role not only in the formation of the individually stable microspheres but also in the polymerization characteristics, including the particle size, the uniformity of size, the polymerization yield, and the thermal properties. The number-average diameter of the microspheres increased linearly, from 0.72 to 2.15 $\mu\textrm{m}$, and the particle size distribution became narrower, by elevating the uniformity from 1.35 to 1.12, as the DVB concentration increased from 20 to 75 mol%. In addition, the yield of the polymerization increased, from 73.4 to 98.6%, as the DVB concentration increased. Since the prepared particles possess fully crosslinked microstructures, no glass transition temperatures were observed, but all the samples prepared with DVB concentrations ranging from 20 to 75 mol% possess enhanced thermal properties. Based on the DSC and TGA data, the thermal stability of the mesospheres prepared by the precipitation polymerization is significantly improved as a result of crosslinking with DVB.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.519-527
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• 2004

Stable poly(methyl methacrylate-co-divinylbenzene) (poly(MMA-co-DVB)) microspheres were prepared by precipitation polymerization using acetonitrile as the main medium under various polymerization conditions, including modifications of the agitation speed, monomer and initiator concentrations, DVB content in the monomer mixture, and the use of various cosolvents. Gentle agitation was required to obtain smooth spherical particles. The individually stable microspheres were obtained at monomer concentrations of up to 15 vol% in an acetonitrile medium. The number-average diameter increased linearly with respect to increases in the monomer and initiator concentrations. We found, however, that the uniformity of the microspheres was independent of the variation of the polymerization ingredients because nuclei formation was solely influenced by the crosslinking reaction of the monomers. We obtained higher yields for the polymerization at higher concentrations of monomer and initiator. The concentration of DVB in the monomer mixture composition played an important role in determining not only the size of the microspheres but also the yield of the polymerization. In addition, although we employed various cosolvents as the polymerization medium, we found that acetonitrile/2-methoxyethanol was the only system that provided spherical particles without coagulation. This finding indicates that the precipitation polymerization is strongly dependent on the solvent used as the medium.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.101-108
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• 2012

Narrowly dispersed poly(BMA-co-MMA) and PBMA latices (PSD : 1.002~1.008) were synthesized successfully by surfactant-free emulsion polymerization with 2,2' azobis(2-methyl-propionamidine) dihydrochloride (AIBA) and $K_2S_2O_8$ (KPS). The number average particle diameter and the number average molecule weight were found to be 160~494 nm and (1.25~7.55) ${\times}10^4$, respectively. The influences of BMA/MMA ratio, monomer and initiator concentrations, addition of DVB/EGDMA crosslink agent, and polymerization temperature on the polymerization rates and on the particle size and molecular weight were studied. The rate of polymerization increased with increasing MMA concentration in BMA/MMA weight ratio. The particle diameter as well as the polymer molecular weight could be controlled easily by controlling the BMA/MMA weight ratio, monomer concentration, AIBA and KPS concentration, and polymerization temperature.