Different Flocculation Behaviors Between Ternary-Amine Polystyrene Latex and Poly(styrenesulfonate): Probe Charge Effect

The flocculation of strong polyelectrolyte, poly(styrene 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.