Synthesis of Monodisperse Emulsion-Templated Polymer Beads by Oil-in-Water-in-Oil (O/W/O) Sedimentation Polymerization

Abstract

Emulsion-templated polymer beads have been prepared by oil-in-water-in-oil (O/W/O) sedimentation polymerization. The materials exhibit well-defined macropore structures (2−15 μm) and high pore volumes (up to 8 cm3/g). The beads have monodisperse size distributions (<3%) because the droplets are isolated from one another during sedimentation, thus eliminating droplet collision and exchange.