Synthesis of monodisperse polystyrene microspheres by dispersion polymerization using sodium polyaspartate

We prepared monodisperse polystyrene microspheres by dispersion polymerization using sodium polyaspartate (PAspNa) as a dispersion stabilizer in an ethanol/water medium. The influence of reaction parameters, i.e., the volume fraction of ethanol in the medium, stabilizer concentration, and the monomer concentration, on the average diameter of the prepared polystyrene microspheres and its distribution were investigated. Polystyrene microspheres were successfully prepared, and the average diameter of the prepared monodisperse polystyrene microspheres was controlled by adjusting the reaction parameters. The zeta potential of the microspheres and the time course of conversion, the particle diameter and its distribution, and particle numbers were also examined. It was found that PAspNa as a dispersion stabilizer provides an environmentally benign process for the preparation of monodisperse polymer microspheres by dispersion polymerization.