Abstract

Styrene-co-ethyl methacrylate colloids were obtained by codeposition at 77 K of the monomers 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 initiator (BPO) at 65°C for 3.5 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 medium particle size of In comonomer colloids was 49 å. The thermal stability and metal composition are also described. The copolymers are stable even at 310°C; Pd-poly(styrene-co-ethyl methacrylate) being the most stable. The metal content ranging between 0.11 and 3.76% w/w for the highest MW fraction and between 0.08 and 0.96% w/w for the lowest MW fraction. Copolymers with different colors were obtained depending on the metal used.