A light scattering study of the optical anisotropy of polystyrene and polyvinylacetate latices

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Polymer symposia 1973, Vol.42 (3), p.1183-1193
• Main Authors: Petres, J. J., Deželić, G. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0360-8905; 1936-0959
• DOI: 10.1002/polc.5070420316

By the method of light scattering, measurements were made on particles of polystyrene and polyvinylacetate latices. The angular distribution of the scattered light was measured and the partial Rayleigh ratios as well as the polarization ratios were determined. These values were measured as a function of the concentration and the measurements were extrapolated to the zero concentration. Values of the specific partial Rayleigh ratios (Hv:/c)0 and (Vh/c)0 proved to be significantly different from zero indicating the existence of the optical anisotropy of particles. The polarization ratio Dv was also found to be significantly different from zero. The optical anisotropy of polystyrene latices was found to be significantly higher than that of polyvinylacetate latices. This was ascribed to a structural anisotropy of the polymeric material within the particles. The hard polystyrene spheres show a small but existing degree of crystallinity, whereas the soft polyvinylacetate spheres, although having a finite anisotropy, show a vanishing degree of crystallinity.