Mechanistic studies on the reverse phase suspension copolymerization of vinyldimethylazlactone and methylenebisacrylamide

The reverse phase suspension copolymerization of vinyldimethylazlactone (VDM) and methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) has been studied by isolation and analysis of samples over the course of a typical polymerization. Results indicate that MBA is incorporated rapidly to provide a macroporous skeleton. VDM, initially distributed primarily in the organic continuous phase, becomes grafted onto this skeleton at a slower rate upon diffusion into the aqueous disperse phase. The effects of polymerization time and aqueous/organic phase ratio on the development of surface area and porosity, and on protein immobilization have been studied.