Preparation of Submicron Monodisperse Polystyrene Microspheres and the Influencing Factors

Objective:The influencing factors on polystyrene(PS) microsphere diameter and size distribution were investigated for the preparation of the submicron monodisperse PS microspheres.Methods:PS microspheres were prepared rapidly by soap-free emulsion polymerization in aqueous solution through varying the polymerization temperature,initiator concentration,and ionic strength,separately.Results:The morphologies,diameter and size distribution of PS microspheres were investigated with Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM).Conclusion:Polymerization temperature was a very important factor which intensively affected the PS particle size.Monodisperse PS microspheres could be well prepared by EFEP at the polymerization temperature from 55℃ to 80℃.When the concentration of initiator increased,the diameter of PS microspheres decreased at first and then increased with a broad size distribution.The diameter of PS microspheres increased with increasing ionic strength,but the increase of ionic strength could lead to broadening on size distribution.