Abstract: Microsize polystyrene beads with narrow size distribution were prepared in one step by dispersion polymerization. The process involes the polymerization of the monomer dissolved in a mixture consisted of methyl cellosolve, ethanol, diisooctylsulfosuccinic sodium, azo-isobutyronitrile and polyvinylpyrrolidone as a steric stabilizer. The factors influencing the particle size of polystyrene beads have been investigated.

Key words: polystyrene microbead, dispersion polymerization, size distribution