Functional microspheres and microgels by precipitation polymerization of divinylbenzene-55 and maleic anhydride

A variety of morphologies can be obtained in precipitation polymerization by the appropriate choice of reaction solvent. The crosslink density of the products decreases with increasing solvency even when the crosslinker concentration is fixed. Microgels are important precursors in the crosslinking copolymerization of divinylbenzene and maleic anhydride since both space-filling gel and microspheres appear to form these species. Space-filling gel is the result of intermolecular crosslinking of these microgels to form a three-dimensional network while microsphere are likely the product of coagulation of microgel-like species at early stages of the reaction.