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 50 nm to 100 μm; full range from 30 nm to 1000 μm available on request.
PMMA offers optical transparency and a lower refractive index than PS (~1.46 vs ~1.59), which is useful where reduced optical contrast is desired — including PIV / micro-PIV flow tracing and optical model systems. Note that PMMA is not refractive-index matched to water (~1.333).
Why PMMA Over PS?
- Lower refractive index than PS (~1.46 vs ~1.59). Useful where reduced optical contrast is desired — index-matching work with solvent mixtures, transparent composite systems, and reduced light scattering in optical setups. PMMA is not index-matched to water (~1.333).
- Established polymer chemistry. PMMA is widely used in medical devices such as intraocular lenses, bone cement, and dental resins. These microspheres are supplied for research use only and are not sterile or endotoxin-tested unless specified; users should evaluate suitability for biological work.
- Optical clarity. Good transmittance across the UV-visible range; 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; compatible with a wide range of buffers.
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) | 50 nm, 100 nm, 200 nm, 500 nm, 800 nm, 1 μm, 2 μm, 3 μm, 5 μm, 10 μm, 20 μm, 50 μm, 100 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
- Optical experiments requiring reduced index contrast (PMMA RI ≈ 1.46; not matched to water ≈ 1.333)
- Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and micro-PIV flow tracer
- Biomedical model systems — cell-size mimics and scaffold porogens (research use only)
- 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.