Transmitted light spectrum measurements. A new and convenient technique for the study of the ordered structure of a monodispersed polystyrene latex in solution and film

Abstract

Transmitted light spectra of monodispersed polystyrene latices in solution and film have been obtained using a commercially available spectrophotometer with an optical quartz cell (path lengths 1 and 2 mm for the solution). The spectra provide much information on the ordered microstructure of the polymer latex. The reliability is checked by comparing the lattice constant obtained from the transmitted light spectrum with that from two other independent techniques, the reflection spectrum method and direct ultramicroscopic observation. This unique and convenient method should aid future studies on the static and dynamic characteristics of ordered latex structures.