Dispersion polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate in supercritical carbondioxide

Herein we report a successful dispersion polymerization of glycidyl methacr ylate (GMA) in carbon dioxide using a block copolymer consisting of polysty rene and poly(1,1-dihydroperfluorooctyl acrylate) (PFOA) as a stabilizer. P oly(GMA) was effectively emulsified in carbon dioxide using the amphiphilic diblock copolymer surfactant. Spherical particles were produced, although PFOA homopolymer was not particularly effective as a stabilizer. The initia l concentrations of the monomer and stabilizer and the reaction pressure ha d substantial effects on the resulting size of the colloidal particles.