Bifunctional monodisperse microspheres of copolymers of methyl methacrylate and N-vinylformamide

Emulsion copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and N-vinylformamide in the presence of azo initiators and dextran as a polymeric stabilizer was analyzed with the aim to prepare monodisperse polymer microspheres with a polyfunctional surface. Hydrolysis of comonomer units and cationic groups of the initiator residues in the surface layer of the particles to give amphoteric surfaces containing carboxy and amino groups was studied. The optimal conditions of formation of monodisperse microspheres with diameter varied in the 340–660 nm range and the conditions of their hydrolysis, which allow direct control of the amount and nature of functional groups on their surface, were found.