Influence of the peroxodisulfate counterion on the dodecyl sulfate adsorption onto polystyrene latex particles

Results of an experimental study are reported on the influence of the nature of the peroxodisulfate counterion (NH4+, K+, and Na+) on the properties of polystyrene latexes. The data show that the adsorption of sodium dodecyl sulfate onto polystyrene particles during the ab initio batch emulsion polymerization depends strongly on both the peroxodisulfate concentration and the nature of the counterion. For sodium and ammonium counterions the adsorbed amount increases and decreases with increasing initiator concentration, respectively.