Synthesis of cross-linked polymer microspheres in supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract

Herein we report the synthesis of highly cross-linked polymers based on divinylbenzene by heterogeneous polymerization in supercritical CO2 (scCO2). The polymers were isolated in the form of discrete microspheres (diameter = 1.5–5 μm) in good yields (≥90%), in the absence of any stabilizers. In the presence of a CO2-soluble polymeric stabilizer, much smaller particles (diameter <0.5 μm) were formed in high yields (≥95%) by emulsion polymerization in scCO2.