Ion-exchange processes of a cationic dye (Rhodamine B;RhB) were studied for individual polymer particles (diameter of 16-20
![](/images/entities/mgr.gif)
m) by laser trapping microspectroscopy and confocal fluorescence laser microspectroscopy.The absorbance of RhB at 565 nm adsorbed on a cation-exchange particle increased linearly with the concentration of RhB in the aqueous phase, while it was independent of the particle diameter. Fluorescence intensityprofile measurements of RhB along the particle diameterby confocal fluorescence microspectroscopy directly provedthat ion exchange took place in the surface layer(~2-
![](/images/entities/mgr.gif)
mthickness) of the particle in the initial stage (1 h).Diffusion of RhB in the particle was very slow, andionexchange proceeded gradually to the inner volume in theorder of days. The ion-exchange processes wereanalyzedon the basis of simulation of the time course of theconcentration profile of RhB in the particle, and thediffusion coefficient of RhB was determined to be (2-4)× 10
-11cm
2·s
-1.