STRUCTURE AND SOME PROPERTIES OF METHACRYLONITRILE DIVINYLBENZENE MACROPOROUS COPOLYMERS

Copolymers of methacrylonitrile (MAN) and divinylbenzene (DVB) of diff erent crosslinking degree between 6-50 wt.-% DVB were obtained by susp ension polymerization of monomers in the presence of a diluent (1:1, v /v), i. e. a mixture of toluene with tetradecane (9:1, v/v). Porosity of the copolymers (MAN/DVB) has been found to fall in the range 48-57. 3%. Specific surface area of the copolymers increased in the range of mesopores with the increasing crosslinking degree. Sorption properties of the copolymers towards aqueous phenol solution are similar to thos e of acrylonitrile-DVB copolymers. MAN/DVB copolymers display rather p oor thermal stability (low residue) what indicates that thermally init iated cyclization of nitrile groups can not take place and the influen ce of depolymerization may be significant.