Research progress of poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres: Preparation, functionalization and application

The preparation systems of PMMA microspheres including emulsion polymerization, suspension polymerization, dispersion polymerization, seed swelling polymerization, and the functionalization strategies of microspheres involving group modification, magnetic nanoparticle doping, porous and hollow construction. • Methods for fabrication of monodispersed PMMA microspheres. • Functionalization strategies of PMMA microspheres from structure design (chemical modification, core–shell, hollow and porous) to properties adjustment (magnetic and fluorescence). • Current applications and future perspectives for PMMA microspheres. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microsphere is a kind of spherical polymer particles, which is polymerized from methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer by initiator. Monodisperse diameter, excellent biocompatibility, superior transparency and diverse chemical group evolved from ester group empower it widely used in templates, optoelectronic devices, detection and separation. This paper reviews the preparation methods of PMMA microspheres including emulsion polymerization, suspension polymerization, dispersion polymerization, seed swelling polymerization, etc. Furthermore, the functionalization strategies of microspheres involving group modification, magnetic nanoparticle doping, core–shell, hollow and porous stereochemical structure design, fluorescent substance addition are summarized. Finally, the applications of PMMA microspheres as well as its future development trend are introduced and prospected.