polystyreenidivinylbensene

Polystyreenidivinylbensene, commonly referred to in English as polystyrene-divinylbenzene resin (PS-DVB), is a crosslinked polymer formed from styrene monomers with divinylbenzene as a crosslinking agent. The resulting material is a rigid, insoluble network polymer used as a versatile solid support and ion-exchange resin. The crosslink density, which depends on the amount of divinylbenzene incorporated, determines the porosity, mechanical strength, and chemical stability of the resin.

Synthesis and structure are based on free-radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of divinylbenzene. Divergent DVB contents yield different network architectures: higher DVB leads to more extensive crosslinking, reduced swelling, and improved thermal and solvent resistance. Beads or porous monoliths are commonly produced, often with porogens to create a high surface area and accessible internal pores. The polymer can be functionalized post-polymerization (for example by sulfonation or chloromethylation) to introduce ion-exchange or other functional groups.

Properties of PS-DVB resins include insolubility due to crosslinking, thermal stability typical of styrene-based networks, and robustness in a range of chemical environments. The hydrophobic styrene backbone provides resistance to many organic solvents, while functional groups introduced through chemical modification grant ion-exchange capacity or affinity for specific solutes. The physical properties, including porosity and surface area, can be tailored by crosslink density and porogen choice.

Applications are broad and include ion-exchange resins for water treatment and demineralization, chromatographic stationary phases and solid-phase extraction sorbents, and catalyst supports in various chemical processes. PS-DVB resins are valued for their chemical versatility, mechanical strength, and compatibility with diverse solvents and reagents.

See also: polystyrene, divinylbenzene, ion-exchange resin, polymer-supported materials.