METAL POLYMERS .15. SYNTHESIS AND MOLECULAR-WEIGHTS OF METAL POLY(STYRENE-CO-ETHYL METHACRYLATES)

Styrene-ethyl methacrylate metal colloids were obtained by codepositio n 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 (AlBN) at 65 degrees C for 3.25 h and a wide range of viscosity average molecular weights ((M) over bar(V) 10 (4) - 10(5)) were obtained depending upon the metal used. The metal co lloid concentration and stability are reported. The thermal stability and metal composition are also described. The copolymers are stable ev en at 380 degrees C and In-(styrene-co-ethyl methacrylate) being the m ost stable (423 degrees C). The metal content is ranging between 0.12 and 1.22% w/w. Copolymers with several colors were obtained depending on the metal and concentration used.