Monodisperse polymeric spheres in the micron size range by a single step process

Abstract

A method for the formation of monodisperse polystyrene (PS) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) spheres, in the micron diameter range, was developed. The polymerisation reaction was carried out in a series of alcohols, using homo‐ and co‐polymers as steric stabilisers in combination with a quaternary ammonium salt which probably acts as an electrostatic co‐stabiliser. Monodisperse PS spheres were formed in the particle size range of 1–6 μm, by a single step process. The size range could be extended by further addition of monomer to the reaction mixture during the polymerisation. The solubility parameter of the alcohol used and the nature of the surfactant determine the diameter of the resulting spheres. However, the concentration of surfactant did not seem to affect strongly the size of the spheres but only the dispersity.