Seeded emulsion polymerization of styrene: Determination of particle size by flow field-flow fractionation coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering

Three series of polystyrene latices were synthesized using the stepwise seeded emulsion polymerization technique. For kinetic studies reaction was monitored by means of an isoperibolic calorimeter, and synthesized particles were analyzed by means of flow field-flow fractionation combined with multi-angle laser light scattering and by means of rotational disc centrifugation. Latices were found to be in the range from 77 to 442 nm diameter for the first series and from 53 to 210 nm for the second series. The third series were two mixtures of two latices with diameters of 136 and 204 nm respectively 157 and 232 nm. Particle growth between each step is of the factor 1.244 (first series) respectively 1.212 (second series) and therefore slower than theoretically expected (1.26). The particle size distribution width decreases in relative values as particle size increases.