Methods for making polymer particulates in gel form

A method for making polymer particles in gel form via an emulsion or suspension process, the method comprising:

• preparing a reactant mixture comprising a carrier fluid and a monomer component containing one or more phenolic compounds, wherein:
• the monomer component polymerizes to form the polymer particles in gel form,
• the reactant mixture is located within a reactor having one or more inner surfaces in contact with the reactant mixture during polymerization of the monomer component,
• the one or more inner surfaces limit a release of metal, metal ions, or a combination thereof into the reactant mixture to produce the polymer particles in gel form containing less than 1 wt % metal atoms, metal ions, or a combination thereof, based on the total weight of the polymer particles in gel form,
• the one or more inner surfaces in contact with the reactant mixture comprises a metal,
• at least a portion of the metal has undergone a passivation process to produce a passivated metal surface, and
• the passivated metal surface is formed by a carburization process, a boronization process, a nitridization process, or any combination thereof.