Abstract

Styrene-co-acrylonitrile colloids were obtained by codeposition at -196-degrees-C of the monomers with several metals such as Pd, Au, Ag, Cu, Fe, Ga, Sn, Sb and Bi. The colloids were polymerized with different amounts of initiator (AIBN) at 60-degrees-C for 24 h and a wide range of viscosity average molecular weights (Mv, 10(4)-10(5)) 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 copolymers are stable even at 385-degrees-C; Ag-poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) being the most stable. The metal content is ranging between 0.12 and 1.56% w/w. Copolymers with different colors were obtained depending on the metal used.