Narrow size distribution polystyrene latexes prepared in the presence of amphoteric sulfobetaine surfactants

Polystyrene latexes with a narrow size distribution (Dw/Dn < 1.05) were prepared with a large range of particle sizes (from 40 to 800 nm) in the presence of various amphoteric sulfobetaine surfactants. The influence of the nature of the surfactant and of the ionic strength, the pH and solid content were studied. The results are discussed and compared with those obtained using sodium dodecyl sulfate or in the absence of surfactants.