Monodisperse Polystyrene (PS) Microspheres – Size Reference Particles for SEM, Flow Cytometry & DLS Calibration | PolyRef™
Monodisperse Polystyrene (PS) Microspheres – Size Reference Particles for SEM, Flow Cytometry & DLS Calibration | PolyRef™
Product Overview
PolyRef™ Monodisperse Polystyrene Microspheres are the workhorse particle size reference for scientific research. Each batch is manufactured under strict process control to achieve narrow size distribution (CV ≤ 6% for sizes ≥ 100 nm) and verified by SEM, TEM, optical microscopy, and laser diffraction. Available in selected sizes from 50 nm to 100 μm; full range from 20 nm to 1000 μm available on request.
Particles are dispersed in ultrapure water at 2.5 wt% (25 mg/mL) solids content. Particles below 5 μm are non-crosslinked PS; particles ≥ 5 μm are lightly crosslinked for enhanced mechanical and chemical stability.
Why PolyRef™ PS Microspheres?
- Tight size distribution. CV ≤ 6% across the 100 nm – 10 μm range; CV ≤ 10–20% for sub-100 nm sizes. Lot-specific values are reported in the COA.
- Batch-traceable QC. Every batch includes SEM imaging and size distribution data; COA shipped with each order.
- Full size coverage on request. 20 nm to 1000 μm — over 50 size grades available for custom orders.
- Direct from the manufacturer. No distributor markup. Custom sizes, surface modifications, and concentrations available.
Specifications
| Material | Polystyrene (PS) — non-crosslinked (< 5 μm) or lightly crosslinked (≥ 5 μm) |
| CAS No. | 9003-53-6 |
| Chemical Formula | (C₈H₈)ₙ |
| Density | 1.05–1.07 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.59 (at 589 nm) |
| Surface | Plain (hydrophobic); amino / carboxyl / fluorescent versions available separately |
| Size Uniformity (CV) | ≤ 6% (100 nm – 1000 μm); ≤ 10–20% (20–80 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 | 20 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 |
| Package Size | 10 mL (5 mL, 50 mL, 200 mL on request) |
| Storage | 2–8 °C for suspensions; room temperature (dry, dark) for powders |
| Shelf Life | 60 months |
| Characterization | SEM, TEM, optical microscopy, laser diffraction; batch-specific COA included |
Applications
- Instrument calibration — SEM, flow cytometry, DLS, NTA, laser diffraction, optical microscopy
- Particle size reference and QC
- Photonic crystal self-assembly and templating
- LCD spacer applications
- Light-scattering and diffusing agents
- Porous material templating (sacrificial templating)
- Hydrodynamic and microfluidic flow tracing
- Cell-size mimics for membrane and uptake studies (5–10 μm)
- Drug delivery carrier model systems (research use only)
- Microplastic spectral reference (when used alongside PVC / LDPE / PET / PMMA standards)
Custom Specifications
Need a size, concentration, or surface chemistry not listed above? RIGOR Science manufactures the full 20 nm – 1000 μm range and offers custom concentrations (5%, 10%, dry powder), packaging sizes (5 mL to 200 mL), and surface functionalization (amino, carboxyl, sulfate, fluorescent). Contact us with your specifications.
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.
Quality Documentation
Each shipment includes a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) with SEM images and size distribution data.