Determination of refractive index increments of PMMA particles dispersed in liquid phase

Abstract

The refractive index increments of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles with sizes ranging from submicron to several microns were determined by measuring different concentrations of the solution and using a refractometer and microbalance calibrated by accurate traceability source. Conventionally, it was common to measure only the difference in refractive index between solvent and solution using a Bryce-type cell system, but it is difficult to perform traceable calibration since there is no reference material for refractive index increment. In this paper, we accurately quantify the refractive index increment by making individual measurements of the solvent and solution refractive indices, respectively, using Abbe-type refractometer. In addition, an uncertainty analysis was performed, and the results clarified the main factor of the variance in the refractive index increment measurements. The most important factor of variation of refractive index increment measurement is the measured apparent values at dilute concentration region including fluctuation of the system. This method was able to be applied to the determination of water content existing in particles. The percentage of the water content was determined using two different solvents, and the water content values were in good agreement within their uncertainties.