title: Preparation of monodisperse, fluorescent PMMA-latex colloids by dispersion polymerization.
abstract: We report a single step procedure to prepare monodisperse colloidal poly(methyl)methacrylate (PMMA) particles where fluorescent dyes are incorporated into the polymer network. The particles are sterically stabilized against flocculation by poly(12-hydroxystearic acid). The fluorescent dyes are RITC (rhodamine isothiocyanate)-aminostyrene (RAS) and 4-methylaminoethylmethacrylate-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol (NBD-MAEM), which are prepared from (commercially available) RITC and 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol (NBD-Cl), respectively, as starting materials. The particles can be grown larger with nonfluorescent PMMA. Examples of the usefulness of these model particles in colloid science are given.
authors.affiliation: Van't Hoff Laboratory for Physical and Colloid Chemistry, Debye Institute, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CH, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bosma
authors.forename: Chellapah
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pathmamanoharan
authors.forename: Els H A
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: de Hoog
authors.forename: Willem K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Kegel
authors.forename: Alfons
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Blaaderen
authors.forename: Henk N W
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Lekkerkerker