Templated synthesis of functional polystyrene/poly 4-vinylpyridine microspheres

The functional polystyrene/poly 4-vinylpyridine (PS/P4VP) microspheres with narrow particle size distribution were prepared by seeded emulsion polymerization using commercial polystyrene hollow spheres as template. The distribution of 4-VP grafted on the surface of the hollow polystyrene microspheres could be controlled by changing parameters of reaction. The PS/P4VP microspheres could be dispersed into both water and organic solvents such as dichloromethane, ethanol and acetonitrile. They could also increase the miscibility of water- dichloromethane system.