Synthesis Of Styrene-Co-Itaconic Anhydride Alternating Copolymer Microspheres By Self-Stable Precipitation Polymerization

As a kind of nontoxic and recyclable chemical material, itaconic anhydride can be manufactured by the process consists of bio-fermentation and cyclodehydration. Like maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride molecule contains functional groups such as anhydride groups and unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds. Itaconic anhydride has been widely utilized in the manufacture of synthetic resin, ion exchange resin, adhesive and nontoxic packing material.Styrene-co-itaconic anhydride copolymer was synthesized by self-stable precipitation polymerization. Influences of stir, category of initiators, monomer concentration, monomer ratio, reaction time, reaction temperature and reaction medium on morphology and diameter of styrene-co-itaconic anhydride copolymer microspheres were investigated. It has been demonstrated that monodisperse polymer microsphere with a tidy and smooth surface can be synthesized by this self-stable precipitation polymerization system, and the diameter can be uniformly controlled within the range between 350 and 800 nanometers. The polymer produced in the system has been certified as styrene-co-itaconic anhydride copolymer by infrared spectrum, nuclear magnetic resonance and acid-base titration. Styrene-co-itaconic anhydride copolymer has a strict structure of alternating copolymerization, and performed better than maleic-co-styrene anhydride copolymer in resisting heat.Crosslinked styrene-co-itaconic anhydride copolymer microspheres were synthesized by adding crosslinker into the precipitation polymerization system, and the crosslinker can effectively control the diameter of copolymer microspheres.α-methyl styrene-co-itaconic anhydride copolymer microspheres with a diameter longer than 900 nanometers were synthesized by the reaction betweena-methyl styrene and itaconic anhydride. And the copolymer has been certified as itaconic-α-methyl styrene alternating copolymer.