Abstract

4-Methylstyrene colloids were obtained by codeposition at 77 K of the monomer with several metals such as Au, Ag, Cu, Pd, Zn, Ga, In, Ge, Sn, Sb, Bi. The colloids were polymerized with different amounts of initiator (AIBN) at 65°C for 9 h and a wide range of viscosity average molecular weights ( $\bar Mv$ , 103–105) were obtained depending upon the metal used. The metal colloid concentration and stability are reported. The most stable colloids were Au, Pd and Ga being in solution for several months at room temperature. The thermal stability and metal composition are also described. The polymers are stable even at 385°C, being Pd with Ge-poly(4-methylstyrene) the most stable. The metal content is ranging between 0.14 and 0.55 (w/w) with Pd and Sn, respectively.