Liquid hydrocarbon-absorbents, 1: Preparation and evaluation of styrenic absorbents for liquid aromatic hydrocarbons

Bulk, Solution, and suspension methods were used to radically polymerize styrene/ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate for obtaining liquid aromatic hydrocarbon-absorbing materials. The polymerizations initiated by benzoylperoxide or azobis(isobutyronitrile), were performed under atmospheric conditions. Variety of suspending agents were used and evaluated in order to optimize particle size and shape with the suspension technique. Advantages and disadvantages of the individual techniques were reported for styrene polymerization in the presence of ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate as a crosslinking agent. Products were evaluated in terms of their swelling capacity in toluene. Products of medium to high absorbency as well as of good gel strength were obtained.