Poly (styrene-co-maleic anhydride) microspheres prepared in ethanol/water using a photochemical method and their application in Ni2+ adsorption

► P (St-MAH) microspheres were prepared by a photo-initiated polymerization method. ► The mixture of ethanol and water was used as green solvent. ► Sizes and size distributions could be controlled systemically. ► Microspheres with narrow distribution were obtained under optimum conditions. ► An application of these microspheres in adsorption of metal ions was explored.