Spherical and porous copolymers based on methyl methacrylate and divinylbenzene were synthesized by aqueous suspension polymerization using methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK) and cyclohexane (CH) as diluents. Different morphological structures were obtained by modifying the reaction parameters, such as divinylbenzene content and MEK/CH ratio. The copolymers were characterized by several techniques: mercury porosimetry, specific superficial area analyzer, apparent density and optical microcopy. Macroporous structures were obtained when using high content of DVB and of nonsolvatant diluent (CH).
Methyl methacrylate-divinylbenzene copolymer; morphological structure; characterization