Monodisperse PMMA Microspheres – Polymethyl Methacrylate Particles for Optical, Biomedical & Flow-Tracing Applications | PolyRef™
Monodisperse PMMA Microspheres – Polymethyl Methacrylate Particles for Optical, Biomedical & Flow-Tracing Applications | PolyRef™
Product Overview
PolyRef™ Monodisperse PMMA Microspheres are highly uniform polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic) particles manufactured under tight process control. Each batch achieves narrow size distribution (CV ≤ 6% for sizes ≥ 100 nm) and is verified by SEM, TEM, optical microscopy, and laser diffraction. Available in selected sizes from 100 nm to 10 μm; full range from 30 nm to 1000 μm available on request.
PMMA combines optical transparency, a refractive index (~1.46) close to water and many aqueous media, and excellent biocompatibility — making it the preferred microsphere material for refractive-index-matched optical work, PIV / micro-PIV flow tracing, and biomedical model systems.
Why PMMA Over PS?
- Lower refractive index (1.46 vs 1.59 for PS). Closer match to water and aqueous buffers — ideal for refractive-index-matched suspensions, transparent composite systems, and reduced light scattering in optical setups.
- Biocompatible material chemistry. PMMA is the same polymer family used in intraocular lenses (IOLs), bone cement, dental resins, and dentures — making it the preferred polymer microsphere for cell culture model systems, drug delivery, and biomedical research.
- Optical clarity. Excellent transmittance across UV-visible range; widely used in light-diffusing layers, anti-glare coatings, and matte-finish cosmetic fillers.
- Higher density than PS (1.18–1.20 g/cm³). Settles in water faster than PS — useful for sedimentation-based separation and density-matching studies in glycerol or sucrose solutions.
- Solvent resistance. Insoluble in water, methanol, and most aqueous solvents; suitable for a wide range of buffers and biological media.
Specifications
| Material | Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) — non-crosslinked (≤ 5 μm) or crosslinked (≥ 5 μm) |
| CAS No. | 9011-14-7 |
| Chemical Formula | (C₅H₈O₂)ₙ |
| Density | 1.18–1.20 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.46 (at 589 nm) |
| Hydrophobicity | Moderate (less hydrophobic than PS) |
| Surface | Plain ester surface; amino / carboxyl / fluorescent / colored versions available separately |
| Size Uniformity (CV) | ≤ 6% (100 nm – 1000 μm); ≤ 10% (30–80 nm) |
| Available Sizes (Stock) | 100 nm, 200 nm, 500 nm, 1 μm, 2 μm, 3 μm, 5 μm, 10 μm |
| Custom Sizes | 30 nm – 1000 μm available on request |
| Concentration | 2.5 wt% (25 mg/mL); 5 wt% / 10 wt% / dry powder available on request |
| Dispersion | Ultrapure water (some sub-100 nm grades may contain trace surfactant) |
| Package Size | 10 mL (5 mL, 50 mL, 200 mL on request) |
| Storage | 2–8 °C (sealed) for suspensions; room temperature for dry powders |
| Shelf Life | 60 months |
| Characterization | SEM, TEM, optical microscopy, laser diffraction; batch-specific COA included |
Applications
- Refractive-index-matched optical experiments (RI ≈ 1.46 ≈ water/buffer)
- Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and micro-PIV flow tracer
- Biomedical model systems — drug delivery carriers, cell-size mimics, scaffold porogens
- Cosmetic formulations — matte finish, soft-focus fillers, exfoliating agents
- Light-diffusing layers and anti-glare optical films
- LCD spacer applications
- Instrument calibration — flow cytometry, DLS, NTA, optical microscopy
- Photonic crystal self-assembly templates
- Porous material templating (sacrificial templating)
- Microplastic spectral reference (PMMA is a regulated polymer in microplastic monitoring)
Custom Specifications
Need a size, concentration, or surface chemistry not listed above? RIGOR Science manufactures the full 30 nm – 1000 μm range and offers custom concentrations (5%, 10%, dry powder), packaging sizes (5 mL to 200 mL), and surface functionalization (amino, carboxyl, fluorescent, colored). Contact us with your specifications.
Quality Documentation
Each shipment includes a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) with SEM images and size distribution data.
Sub-micron grades (100–200 nm) are characterized by DLS; micron grades (≥1 μm) are characterized by laser diffraction / optical microscopy. Representative data shown; see COA for lot-specific values.