Uniform Polystyrene Particles by Dispersion Polymerization in Different Dispersion Medium

Using PVP K-30 as steric stabilizer and AIBN as initiator, uniform polystyrene (PS) particles were prepared by dispersion polymerization of styrene in ethanol/water and isopropanol/ water media. The effects of initiator and stabilizer concentration, alcohol/water volume ratio on the average sizes and size range of PS particles were investigated. Unifrom PS particles in the size range of 0.7-1.7 μm were obtained. The results showed that higher stabilizer concentration led to PS particles with smaller average sizes, and higher initiator concentration caused greater average particle sizes. It was also found that the average sizes reduced and size ranges became narrow as the polarity (solubility parameter) of dispersion medium employed was increased.