POLYSTYRENE GELATIN COMPOSITES PREPARED VIA A GEL PATHWAY

Composite polymers of polystyrene and gelatin have been prepared using a gel pathway. The gels have been obtained by mixing at 50-degrees-C an aqueous solution containing gelatin and a surfactant (SDS) with styrene containing an initiator (AIBN). The obtained emulsions have the appearance of gels and are very stable both at room temperature and at 50-degrees-C. At 50-degrees-C, these gels are liquidlike with high viscosity; at room temperature, solidlike gels are formed when the gelatin content is sufficiently high. Polymerization of the gels can be achieved in several days at room temperature and in 24 h at 50-degrees-C. Composite polymers with different water-absorbing capacities have been produced by controlling the polymerization temperature and duration. These composite polymers are insoluble in water, ethanol, octane, and cyclohexane, but exhibit some swelling in these liquids. Additional thermal treatment at relatively high temperatures increases the mechanical strength of the composites.