Single- and Few-Chain Polystyrene Particles by Electrospray

An electrospray method is used for the conversion of isolated molecules of atactic polystyrene of high molar mass in solution to solid, single-molecule particles. With this process it is possible to produce not only single molecules but also clusters of several molecules. Particle size and shape distributions were characterized using scanning force and scanning electron microscopy. The size of the clusters of more than one molecule can be tailored to ones needs by controlling the spray conditions.