Spherical polymer gels containing sulfonate groups: synthesis and adsorption properties

Porous cross-linked polyelectrolyte microspheres with diameter from 1 to 5 μm based on para-styrene sulfonate or copolymer of para-styrene sulfonate with vinyl acetate were synthesized. The content of sulfonate groups in the obtained polyelectrolyte microspheres is more than 2 mmol/g. It was shown that introduction of hydrophobic comonomer significantly increased the degree of swelling of polyelectrolyte microspheres. It was found that the value of adsorption of model compounds (fuchsin, methylene blue) significantly exceed the concentration of sulfonate groups. Morphology, structure of the surface layer of polyelectrolyte matrices were studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, specific surface by the BET method.