A Simple Method for Producing Micrometer-Sized Monodisperse Polystyrene Particles in Aqueous Media

A method was developed for producing micrometer-sized, highly monodisperse polystyrene particles in single stage polymerization in aqueous media. The method employs an amphoteric surfactant, dimethyldodecylbetaine, that is added to the reaction system of styrene/K(2)S(2)O(8)/water in early stage of reaction. Polymerizations were carried out over a range of initiator concentrations (4-8 mmol/dm(3) H(2)O). The polymerization procedure could produce particles with an average diameter of 3.4 µm with a coefficient of variation of particle size distribution of 4.0%. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.