Preparation and Characterization of Magnetic Polymeric Microspheres Based on Styrene, Divinylbenzene and Vinyl Acetate

Magnetic polymeric microspheres based on styrene (STY), divinylbenzene (DVB), vinyl acetate (VAc) and iron were prepared through suspension and semi-suspension polymerization. An investigation was made of the influence from the concentration of VAc added to the polymerization and the presence of iron on the properties of the polymeric particles. These particles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTGA), reflection optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Polymeric microspheres with magnetic properties based on styrene, divinylbenzene and vinyl acetate were obtained. These materials showed good control of the spheres morphology and aggregated iron particles throughout the microsphere surface. The greater yield of microspheres was found in the range of 288 mu m. They also showed good magnetic properties (from 22.62 to 73.75 emu.g(-1)) with superparamagnetic behavior and good thermal stability (444 degrees C).