Results from an experimental study concerning gel formation with nitroxide-mediated radical
polymerization (NMRP) of styrene (S) and divinylbenzene (DVB) in aqueous suspension are
reported. Influence of certain polymerization parameters on the dynamics of network formation
was measured, namely the polymerization temperature and initial composition.
Soluble polymer formed at
different polymerization times
was analyzed by size exclusion
chromatography (SEC) with
refractive index (RI) and multi
angle laser light scattering
(MALLS) detection. Concentration
of pendant double
bonds (PDB) was quantified
by means of ICl titration and
the morphology of the S/DVB
particles was inspected by SEM.
Incidence of cyclizations was
assessed and the improvement
of network homogeneity when
using NMRP/FRP is discussed.
