Colored polystyrene particles were produced by suspension polymerization. Pigments adopted here were carmine 6 B (Index number 15850), disazo-yellow (Index number 21100), copper phthalocyanine blue (Index number 74160). Pigments were added into styrene monomer before suspension polymerization. The effect of the pigments on the size distribution of colored polymer beads was mainly investigated. Also, the charge distribution, the ζ-potential and the distribution of pigment in the polymer beads were measured.
When disazo-yellow was added to the monomer, the suspension polymerization was not affected. When carmine 6 B was added, however, coalescence between polymer droplets in the course of polymerization was promoted, which resulted in agglomeration. When copper phthalocyanine blue was added, the polymerization was hindered and no polymer particles were produced at its higher concentration.
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