A novel protocol for the preparation of uniform polymer microspheres with high yields through step polymerization of isophorone diisocyanate

Uniform polymer microspheres with neat surface are of high interests. Precipitation polymerization of vinylic monomers remains a very limited process owing to very low monomer concentration allowed. Here, a fully novel protocol for the production of uniform polymeric microspheres is presented. Using one single monomer, isophorone diisocyanate, highly monodisperse polyurea microspheres were achieved with very high yield in a very short time period via precipitation polymerization in water–acetone mixed solvent. Results demonstrated that the ratio of water–acetone and polymerization temperature played important roles in the process. The size of the microspheres was readily adjustable by varying monomer concentration, water/acetone ratio or polymerization temperature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011