Size Determination of Polymer Particles Embedded in a Solid Polymer Matrix

EZEQUIEL R. SOULÉ, FERNANDO OTERO, GLORIA FRONTINI, GUILLERMO E. ELIÇABE

Graz, Austria

Otro; 8th. International Congress on Optical Particle Characterization; 2007

In this work we present the results obtained from the size characterization of polymer particles embedded in a solid polymer matrix using Static Light Scattering (SLS). The analyzed samples are the result of the solution polymerization of polyisobutylene (PIB) in isobornyl methacrylate (IBoMA). As the system reacts, phase separation, induced by polymerization, occurs. As a result, spherical sub-micron sized particles rich in PIB are formed. At the end of the polymerization process the particles become trapped in a solid polymer matrix rich in Poly-IBoMA. The size, concentration, and refractive index, make the resulting particle system scatter light under the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans (RDG) regime with interparticle interference. The samples are measured with a Flat Cell Static Light Scattering (FCSLS) apparatus similar to that of reference [1], in which the reaction takes place. The resulting SLS spectra are analyzed using the Percus-Yevick approximation to model the interference effects. The local monodisperse approximation [2] is used to consider polydispersity in the particle sizes. In the figures, experimental data (Is(e)), fit of the model (Is(m)), and estimated Particle Radii Distribution (PRD) are shown for one of the samples. The estimated results agree well with measurements from Scanning Electron Microscopy. This work, against the opinion of other authors [3], shows the feasibility of measuring still particles using a one dimensional array of light detectors.