Abstract

Butyl acrylate colloids were obtained by codeposition at 77 K of the monomer with several metals such as Pd, Au, Ag, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ga, In, Ge, Sn, Sb, and Bi. The colloids were polymerized with different amounts of an initiator (AIBN) at 65°C for 0.5 h and a wide range of viscosity-average molecular weights (Mv, 104–105 g/mol) were obtained depending upon the metal used. The metal colloid concentration and stability are reported. The thermal stability and metal composition are also described. The polymers are stable even at 400°C, with Ga–poly(butyl acrylate) being the most stable at 407°C. The metal content ranged between 0.10 and 1.32% w/w for the highest MW fraction and between 0.11 and 1.09% w/w for the lowest MW fraction. Polymers with several colors were obtained depending on the metal used