Copolymer containing residues of vinylbenzyl halide and vinylbenzyl alcohol and synthesis thereof, porous structure comprising the copolymer and production thereof, and porous carbon sphere

A copolymer having a chemical structure of formula (2), wherein

• a number-average molecular weight of the copolymer is 120,000 g/mole or less,
• m and t are both greater than 0, 8%≦p≦80%, y≧0, and z≧0,
• X is selected from —Cl, —Br, and —I,
• R is selected from hydrogen (—H), —Cl, —Br, —CnH2n+1, —CH2NH2, —CH2C(═O)OCiH2i+1, —CH2OC(═O)CnH2n+1, —NH2, —N(CiH2i+1)C(═O)CnH2n+1, —C(═O)OCiH2i+1, —OC(═O)CnH2n+1, —SO3M (wherein M is selected from —H, Na, —K, and —NH4), and —Si(OCnH2n+1)3, R′ is selected from —H, —OH, and —CnH2n+1, R″ is selected from —H, —C(═O)OCjH2j+1, —OC(═O)CkH2k+1, —C≡N, —Si(OCnH2n+1)3, —NH2, —N(CiH2i+1)C(═O)CnH2n+1, —NC4H6O (pyrrolidonyl), and —C6H5N (pyridinyl), and R′″ is —CnH2n+1, wherein n=1 to 4, i=0 to 4, j=1 to 12, and k=1 to 17.

A method for producing a copolymer, comprising:

• mixing a water-soluble initiator and a water-containing solvent in a container to form a starting solution;
• adding at least one monomer in the starting solution to form a mixed solution, wherein the at least one monomer comprises a vinylbenzyl halide;
• causing a polymerization reaction in the mixed solution at a reaction temperature;
• and
• precipitating, in an organic solvent, a product of the polymerization reaction from the mixed solution.