Dispersion Polymerization

Abstract

Dispersion polymerization is an attractive method for producing micron-size monodisperse polymer particles in a single batch process. Great progress in this field has been achieved over the past two decades. This article presents an overview of the recent progress in the preparation of polymeric microspheres via dispersion polymerization in organic media, focusing on the preparation of novel functional particles, the design of microspheres using macromonomers, and on understanding mechanisms for the control of particle size. Examples of functional microspheres obtained by dispersion polymerization in the presence of linear polymers, block polymers, and macromonomers are tabulated, and new developments are highlighted. Particle size control in dispersion polymerization in the presence of macromonomers is discussed, and experimental results for poly(ethylene oxide)-grafted particles are compared with theoretical expectations for ideal core-shell particles.