Thermostable
Microspheres Consisting of Poly(<i>N</i>‑phenylmaleimide-<i>co</i>-α-methyl styrene) Prepared by Precipitation Polymerization
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Abstract
General polymeric microspheres are
not satisfactorily thermostable.
This article reports on an unprecedented type of poly(<i>N</i>-phenylmaleimide-<i>co</i>-α-methyl styrene) [denoted
as poly(<i>N</i>-PMI-<i>co</i>-AMS)] microspheres
showing remarkable thermal stability. The microspheres were prepared
by free-radical precipitation polymerization in a solvent mixture
consisting of methyl ethyl ketone (favorable solvent) and heptane
(unfavorable solvent). Microspheres of good morphology and narrow
size distribution were obtained in high yield (>85%) under appropriate
conditions. Growth of poly(<i>N</i>-PMI-<i>co</i>-AMS) microspheres was characterized by scanning electron microscopy.
The microspheres, although without cross-linking, exhibited excellent
thermal stability, and their decomposition temperature was up to about
370 °C. This feature cannot be achieved in typical polymeric
microspheres. Also, notably, this is the first precipitation polymerization
of maleimide and AMS and their derivatives for preparing microspheres.
The present novel microspheres are expected to find practical applications
as novel heat-resistant additives, solid carriers for catalysts, and
so on