Suspension copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene (DVB) was carried out using benzoyl peroxide as initiator and magnesium hydroxide as suspending agent in water at 80 degrees C under nitrogen atmosphere to produce styrene-DVB copolymer beads. These beads were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Porosity generated in styrene-DVB copolymer beads by incorporation of solvents in the polymerization system was confirmed by SEM micrograph, apparent density, swelling measurements, and Brunauer, Emmett, Teller surface area. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.