Polymer supports based on styrene and divinylbenzene were prepared by aqueous suspension polymerization in presence of diluents (mixtures of toluene and heptane in varied compositions) at 100% v/v of dilution degree (relative to the monomers volume) at four DVB proportions (10, 20, 40 and 60%). The supports were characterized in the dry and swollen states. In the dry state, the apparent density, surface area, pore volume and morphology were determined. In the swollen state, the behavior in two different solvents, one good and one bad for the styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer, was observed. The polymer support properties in the dry and swollen states were related with the respective synthesis parameters. The polymer supports were sulfonated in the presence of a solvent able to swell the polymer network (1,2-dichloroethane). The obtained supported catalysts were also analyzed in the dry and swollen states. The catalysts activities were evaluated in the acetic acid esterification with n-butanol, and the recycling effect of two different catalysts on its activities was also evaluated.
Styrene-divinylbenzene polymer supports; synthesis; characterization; polymer supported sulfonic catalysts; catalyst recycling
