Preparation of monodisperse latexes and study of their rheological properties

The synthesis of (monodisperse) poly(styrene) latexes was reexamined using sodiumdodecyl sulfate as emulsifier and potassium persulfate as initiator. It has been shown, that at fixed emulsifier concentration c_E the variation of persulfate amount produces similar particle size variations as changes of electrolyte (potassium sulfate) concentration at a given low initiator level. For c_E << cmc a maximum of particle size versus initiator or electrolyte concentrations has been found. Concentrated monodisperse poly(styrene) dispersions and carboxylated latexes up to 50% have been prepared by a carefully controlled seeding process using monomer feed. Particle size influence on steady shear viscosity has been studied for different kinds of polymer dispersions: for electrostatic stabilized poly(styrene) latexes at high ionic strengths, for electrostatic and sterically stabilized carboxylated latexes at different pH values and for steric stabilized dispersions of poly(vinyl chloride) in plasticizer (dioctyl phthalate). All three kinds of dispersions give pronounced particle size effects on viscosity, which is different from hard-sphere-behaviour. Simple model equations have been formulated to describe the concentration and shear rate dependence on viscosity. Particle size influence may be discussed on the basis of the effective hydrodynamic particle diameter. Causes for the increase of the hydrodynamic particle size are given either by surface swelling or by the formation of particle clusters which are formed and destroyed within the shear field.