Acrylonitrile–divinylbenzene copolymer beads: influence of pre-polymerization step, stirring conditions and polymerization initiator type on the polymer particle characteristics

Cross-linked acrylonitrile–divinylbenzene copolymer beads have been synthesized by suspension polymerization in presence of an inert diluent (toluene). In this study a set of experiments has been performed to evaluate the physical features of the beads. The influence of the pre-polymerization step, process stirring conditions and type of polymerization initiator on the polymer particle size distribution, apparent density and visual appearance by optical microscopy was investigated.