Pore size in one-step swelling and polymerization of monodisperse polymer beads

Crosslinked polystyrene beads were prepared at low swelling ratios by one-step swelling and polymerization method. Pore size of the beads was observed based on the GPC calibration curves. It is found that: (1) the pore size increases as the swelling ratio decreases; (2) when a good solvent is used as the porogen the pore size increases with the crosslinking monomer content; and (3) at high crosslinking monomer content the pore size does not depend on the porogen solubility. The effects are discussed in terms of polymer miscibility, including phase separation between the seed and bead polymers. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.