Abstract: Polystyrene/poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PS/PGMA) microspheres were first prepared by fine emulsion polymerization, the surface of which was subsequently aminofunctionalized via the reaction between epoxy groups on GMA and amines groups. Effect of the monomer ratio on the particle size and distribution of microspheres was investigated. The microspheres were characterized by DLS, SEM, IR, and elemental analysis. The particle size was uniform and controllable, with the smallest being 67 nm. The aminofunctionalized spheres were applied in CO2 adsorption. The CO2 adsorption capacity of ethylenediamine (EDA) modified microspheres reached 2.45 mmol/g.

Key words: adsorption, microspheres, fine emulsion polymerization, styrene, glycidyl methacrylate