Synthesis and characterization of alkyl (meth)acrylate-divinylbenzene copolymer beads by suspension copolymerization

Abstract

Methyl methacrylate-divinylbenzene or butyl methacrylate-divinylbenzene copolymer beads were synthesized by suspension polymerization. The reactions were performed in the presence of benzoyl peroxide and poly(viny alcohol) as a radical initiator and suspending agent, respectively. The monomer phase weight fraction, initiator concentration, crosslinking agent concentration, suspending agent concentration, reaction time, reaction temperature and diluent composition were studied for the morphology of the resultant copolymer beads and the capacity of toluene and lube oil uptake. The kinetic of toluene uptake of methyl methacrylate-divinylbenzene copolymer bead was studied to validfy the diffusion type. The transport mechanism of toluene into the spherical bead copolymer of methyl methacrylate-divinylbenzene was non-Frickian case ∥ type which was a relaxation control of the polymer molecules. The addition a third monomer of alkyl (meth)acrylates, namely, butyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, stearyl acrylate and dodecyl acrylate was used to improve the toluene and oil absorbency of the terpolymer beads. The highest capacity of toluene absorption by methyl methacrylate-divinylbenzene-butyl methacrylate terpolymer was 25 times of their original volume. The effect of the third-copolymer on oil absorbency of methyl methacrylate-divinylbenzene copolymer indicated that the oil capacity of terpolymer beads increased with the increasing hydrophobicity of the third-comonomer.