Gel Formation in Aqueous Suspension Nitroxide-Mediated Radical Co-Polymerization of Styrene/Divinylbenzene

Abstract

Results from an experimental study concerning gel formation with nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) of styrene (S) and divinylbenzene (DVB) in aqueous suspension are reported. Influence of certain polymerization parameters on the dynamics of network formation was measured, namely the polymerization temperature and initial composition. Soluble polymer formed at different polymerization times was analyzed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with refractive index (RI) and multi angle laser light scattering (MALLS) detection. Concentration of pendant double bonds (PDB) was quantified by means of ICl titration and the morphology of the S/DVB particles was inspected by SEM. Incidence of cyclizations was assessed and the improvement of network homogeneity when using NMRP/FRP is discussed.