Highly crosslinked micron‐range polymer microspheres by dispersion polymerization of divinylbenzene

Abstract Narrow disperse microparticles are formed by dispersion polymerization of commercial divinylbenzene in acetonitrile or ethanol solution in the presence of 2,2′‐azobis(2‐methylpropionitrile) initiator and polyvinylpyrrolidone stabilizer. The particles have average diameters between 1 and 9 μm depending on monomer concentration, solvent, and temperature. While the smaller particles are relatively smooth, surface texture increases with diameter to give popcorn shapes at 9 μm diameter. High crosslinker concentration is shown to be essential for particle formation. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.