Patent ID: 6896905

Claim:
A method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of a plurality of porous particles, wherein said porous particles comprise at least one polymeric phase and at least one pore filling phase, comprising the steps of: a) forming a reaction mixture in a closed pressure vessel, said reaction mixture comprising: i) at least one monomer; ii) water; iii) a dispersing agent; iv) at least one fugitive substance; and v) at least one pore filler; b) forming a plurality of droplets comprising said monomer, said fugitive substance, and said pore filler as a dispersed phase in water; c) polymerizing said monomer; d) causing said polymeric phase and said pore filling phase to phase separate from one another, forming said porous particles; and e) reducing the pressure in said pressure vessel to atmospheric pressure; and wherein said pore filling phase comprises said pore filler.