Cross-Linked Poly(methacrylic acid-c o-poly(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate) Microspheres and Microgels Prepared by Precipitation Polymerization: A Morphology Study

We applied the concept of precipitation polymerization in organic solvents to the polar and hydrogen-bonding monomers methacrylic acid (MAA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMM), with ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) as cross-linker. Soluble copolymers, swellable microgels, microspheres, macrogels, and coagulum were observed after copolymerization in mixtures of methyl ethyl ketone and heptane. Increasing the amount of …