POLY(ETHYLENE DIMETHACRYLATE) PARTICLES WITH POLY(GLYCIDYL METHACRYLATE) FUNCTIONALITIES

Macroporous particles, prepared by the suspension polymerization of et hylene dimethacrylate (EDMA), possessing high specific surface areas ( 558 m2 g-1) and pore volumes (6.9 ml g-1), contain unreacted double bo nds which are accessible for free radical polymerization. The amount o f unreacted double bonds was determined by C-13 CP/MAS n.m.r. These bo nds were used for the functionalization of poly(EDMA) particles by the solution grafting copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) int o the pore structure of the particles. The poly(GMA) formed in this wa y is permanently attached to the particles. By this method composite p articles, containing up to 77 wt% of oxirane groups (determined by i.r . spectroscopy), were obtained. However, the presence of grafted polym er in the pores leads to a decrease in both the pore volume and the sp ecific surface area. The oxirane groups can be chemically modified, as evidenced by their reactions with hydrogen chloride and 2,2,6,6-tetra methyl-4-aminopiperidine.