Porous poly(methacrylic acid-co-triethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (poly MAA-co-3G) particles in the size range of 10-40 mu m were prepared via seed emulsion polymerization. Mixtures of linear polymer, solvent, and/or nonsolvent were used as inert diluents. The prepared porous polymer was converted using hydroxylamine hydrochloride and sodium methoxide into the corresponding poly(hydroxamic acid). The surface area of the porous copolymer particles was determined colorimetrically. The effect of the diluent type and concentration on the surface area of the prepared porous polymer was examined. The metal ion absorption capacity of the resin toward the different metal ions was examined using, an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The thermal stability of the polymers was examined by thermal gravimetric analysis.