Preparation and characterization of poly(styrene/methyl acrylic acid) microspheres

Poly(St-MAA) copolymer microspheres were successfully prepared through emulsifier-free emulsion poly-merization,employing styrene and methyl acrylic acid as monomers.The microsphere composition,surface morphology,surface potential,particle size and its distribution were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy,transmission electron micros-copy,field emission scanning electron microscopy,potential and nano particle size analyzer.The results showed that the microspheres prepared by the method were uniform and monodisperse.The monodispersed microspheres with the size from 100 to 200nm were obtained.Poly(St-MAA) copolymer microspheres zeta potential is -37.2mV,MAA hydrophilic groups and initiator KPS residue interaction improve copolymerization microsphere emulsion stability.