Preparation of monodisperse poly(divinylbenzene) macrobeads via a drop breaking and polymerization method

Monodisperse polydivinylbenzene macrobeads over 100 μm in diameter were prepared by using a drop breaking and polymerization technique. The monomer droplets formed by the nozzle were stabilized by polyvinyl alcohol solution, which is used as a carrier fluid, and moved to a reactor along the polytetraflouroethylene tube, then polymerized. The monomer viscosity, piston pump velocity, and syringe pump speed were determined to get stable monomer droplets and monodisperse macrobeads. Non-porous and dense structures of spheres were confirmed by utilizing optical and scanning electron microscope observation. High thermal stability of polydivinylbenzene macrobeads was confirmed from the comparison of thermal analysis between linear polystyrene particles and polydivinylbenzene macrobeads. By using the drop breaking and polymerization technique, various types of macrobeads could be obtained with ease.