The dispersion polymerization of styrene in carbon dioxide with a series of copolymers of poly(propylene glycol) methacrylate (PPGMA) and 2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl methacrylate (FOEMA) as the polymerization dispersants was examined. It was demonstrated that PPGMA and FOEMA copolymers and polymers containing 52-100% FOEMA could be used as effective dispersants for the polymerization, and the composition of the copolymeric dispersant had a dramatic effect on both the polymerization yield and the morphology of the resulting polystyrene. The effects of the concentrations of the copolymeric dispersants, the concentrations of the monomer, and the reaction pressure were also investigated. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.