Dissolution of Al2O3-polystyrene latex composites: A fluorescence study

Abstract

This work reports the use of the steady state fluorescence (SSF) technique to study dissolution of a composite film formed from a mixture of Al 2O3 and polystyrene (PS) latex particles. The composite films were cast from dispersion of pyrene (P)-labeled PS particles in Al 2 O3 solution at room temperature and annealed at 280°C temperature for 10 min. Eight different composite films were studied in various latex contents. Toluene was used as dissolution agent. Fluorescence intensities Ip from P were monitored during dissolution. Fickian diffusion was employed to model the dissolution processes. Dissolution coefficients, D d, were measured and found to be increased at high PS content in the composite films.