Different flocculation behaviors between ternary-amine polystyrene latex and poly(styrenesulfonate): Probe charge effect

Abstract

The flocculation of strong polyelectrolyte, polystyrene sulfonate), (PSS) with ternary amine-functionalized polystyrene particles was investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Ternary amine particles that show stable dispersion in pH 10 undergo different flocculation in a low pH conditions. In pH 3 condition, particles present fast aggregation and irreversible process (coagulation) but in pH 7 solution particles show slow aggregation and reversible process (depletion-induced flocculation). By adding strong polyelectrolyte, aggregation rapidly removed in pH 7 but retained some concentration (about 5 mg/L) in pH 3. The homogeneity exponent λ to characterize the different flocculation behaviors presents not only difference as a function of pH but also distinction as a function of concentration in pH 3.