Synthesis of functional magnetic porous SrFe12O19/P(St-DVB-MAA) microspheres by a novel suspension polymerization

In this study, a novel and effective suspension polymerization has been employed to prepare functional magnetic porous SrFe₁₂O₁₉/P(St-DVB-MAA) microspheres in the presence of bilayer surfactants (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and oleic acid (OA)) coated on micro-size magnetic SrFe₁₂O₁₉. This was achieved by pre-polymerizing the organic phase, which contained co-monomers, porogens and treated magnetic particles, at 65°C for 0.5 h under ultrasound conditions. Aqueous solutions containing a dispersion agent were then added to effect suspension polymerization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and magnetic property measurement system (MPMS) were used to characterize the functional magnetic porous microspheres. The results show that the microparticles are well shaped with a uniform size distribution of about 0.5 ∼ 0.7 mm and the surfaces of the microspheres have many micro-pores with an average diameter of 0.533 μm. There are carboxyl groups (−COOH) on the surface of the microspheres to the extent of 0.65 mmol g⁻¹, as determined by conductometric titration. According to the XRD spectra, iron oxide consists mainly of SrFe₁₂O₁₉ which reveals hexahedral structure. The content of magnetic SrFe₁₂O₁₉ reaches 17.81% (by mass), and the microspheres have good heat resistance. The magnetic porous microspheres are ferromagnetic with high residual magnetization and coercivity, 21.59 emu g⁻¹ and 4.13 kOe, respectively. The saturation magnetisation is around 42.85 emu g⁻¹.