Cosolvency effect on the porous structure formation of styrene divinylbenzene copolymers

A series of styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers were synthesized by suspension polymerization using two types of diluent systems: diethylphthalate (DEP)ln-heptane (Hep) and diethylphthalate (DEP)/isoamylacetate (i-AmAc). The influence of DEP/Hep and DEP/i-AmAc ratios on the formation of the porous structure and swelling of the copolymers were investigated. The mixtures of these diluents produced copolymers with lower pore volumes than those produced with the pure diluents. These results were attributed to the cosolvency effect provoked by the interaction and association between the components of the diluent systems. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.