A novel route for synthesis of cross-linked polystyrene copolymer beads with tunable porosity using guar and xanthan gums from bioresources as alternative synthetic suspension stabilizers.

Cross-linked polymer beads with different cross-linking agent loading were prepared by carrying out cross-linking suspension copolymerization of styrene-divinylbenzene (St- DVB) monomers using guar gum (GG) and xanthan gum (XG) from bioresources as eco-friendly suspension biopolymer stabilizers in the presence of non reactive diluents. The effects of GG and XG as suspension biostabilizers on the characteristics of the styrene copolymer beads were investigated regarding thermal properties, porosity characteristics, solvent swelling ratio, and surface morphologies using TGA, DSC, XRD, SEM, BET analyses. Spherical and regular beads with smooth surface were produced and the average particle size was in the range 170-290 μm (50-80 mesh size). The porosity characteristics of the produced beads including surface area and pore volume were in range 0.45 m/g and 32-45 ml/g, respectively. Overall, the present article provided a novel route to prepare cross-linked polystyrene copolymer beads with tunable porosity suitable for catalyst support.