Abstract

Solvated metal atoms were obtained by cocondensation of metals and monomers at 77 K. Stable colloids were formed upon warming. Several colloids using iron and nickel have been prepared with the following monomers: styrene, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate. The colloids were polymerized with two different initiators, benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and 2,2'-bis-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN). The metal clusters should be stabilized by styrene between the aromatic ring and the vinyl group, and in the acrylate series between the vinyl and the carbonyl group. The yields of the polymers of Ni-styrene and Fe-styrene range from 10–70% and the molecular weights range from 10.000 to 250.000, even higher than the homopolymer. Electron micrographs were obtained by a Jeol JEM 1200 EX II with 4 Å resolution, for the colloids and the polymers. The colloids exhibited a smaller particle size than the metal clusters in the polymers. The styrene with either Fe or Ni clusters should be around 100 Å colloidal sizes. A dramatic increase in the polymer was observed. Very big clusters in the dope polyacrylate were found. During polymerization particle size growing and size increase were observed.