2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate carrying uniform porous particles: preparation and electron microscopy

Uniform macroporous particles carrying hydroxyl groups have been obtained in the size range 3-11.5 mum by seeded polymerization. For this purpose, uniform polystyrene particles in the size range 1.9-6.2 mum were used as seeds. The seed particles were successively swollen by dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and a monomer mixture comprising styrene, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and a crosslinker. Two different crosslinkers, divinylbenzene (DVB) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), were tested. Size distribution properties together with bulk and surface structures of the particles have been characterized by both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. While EGDMA provides uniform particles with a non-porous surface, DVB produces uniform particles having a highly porous surface and interior. The comparison of FTIR and FTIR-DRS spectra shows that the HEMA concentration is higher on the particle surface than within the particle interior. Seed latex size and monomer/seed latex ratios are identified as the most important variables affecting the final particles. Different seed latexes have been tried; the result is that highly macroporous particles with a sponge-like pore structure both on the surface and in the particle interior have been obtained by use of the seed latex with the largest particles and the lowest molecular weight. An increase in the HEMA feed concentration leads to final particles with a non-porous surface and a crater-like porosity in the particle interior. The average pore size significantly decreases with increasing DBP/seed latex and monomer/seed latex ratios. (C) 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.