Synthesis of Cross-Linked Poly(acrylamide) Microspheres by Dispersion Polymerisation in Aqueous Ammonium Sulfate Solution

Cross-linked poly(acrylamide) microspheres, i.e. PAMBA, with mean diameters ranging from 169.7 to 525.2 nm were prepared by dispersion polymerisation of acrylamide in aqueous ammonium sulfate (AS) solution. N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBA), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and potassium persulfate (KPS) were selected as the cross-linking agent, stabiliser, and initiator, respectively. The basic conditions for producing PAMBA microspheres, such as the salt concentration and monomer concentration, were optimised based on the precipitation behaviour of the polymer and the state of the product obtained after polymerisation. The optimum AS concentration and monomer concentration were determined as 300 and 88 g L−1, respectively. The effects of parameters, such as SDS concentration, MBA concentration, initiator concentration and temperature, on the product morphology and particle size were investigated by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the optimum conditions for the generation of microspheres are concentrations of 2.2–8.8 g L−1 for SDS, 4–6 g L−1 for MBA, 0.3–1.0 wt-% based on acrylamide for KPS, and the temperature should be kept at 35–45°C. The mean diameter of the microspheres decreases with an increase in SDS concentration and increases with an increase in MBA concentration. The polydispersity of the microspheres increases when SDS concentration exceeds 6.6 g L−1 as well as when MBA concentration increases. The formation mechanism of the products was discussed based on the results.