Copolymerization of ethylene with 1‐hexene over metallocene catalyst supported on complex of magnesium chloride with tetrahydrofuran

The study of ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization with the zirconocene catalyst, bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride (Cp₂ZrCl₂)/methylaluminoxane (MAO), anchored on a MgCl₂(THF)₂ support was carried out. The influence of 1‐hexene concentration in the feed on catalyst productivity and comonomer reactivity as well as other properties was investigated. Additionally, the effect of support modification by the organoaluminum compounds [(MAO, trimethlaluminum (AlMe₃), or diethylaluminum chloride (Et₂AlCl)] on the behavior of the MgCl₂(THF)₂/Cp₂ZrCl₂/MAO catalyst in the copolymerization process and on the properties of the copolymers was explored. Immobilization of the Cp₂ZrCl₂ compound on the complex magnesium support MgCl₂(THF)₂ resulted in an effective system for the copolymerization of ethylene with 1‐hexene. The modification of the support as well as the kind of organoaluminum compound used as a modifier influenced the activity of the examined catalyst system. Additionally, the profitable influence of immobilization of the homogeneous catalyst as well as modification of the support applied on the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the copolymers was established. Finally, with the successive self‐nucleation/annealing procedure, the copolymers obtained over both homogeneous and heterogeneous metallocene catalysts were heterogeneous with respect to their chemical composition. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2512–2519, 2004     

Effect of 1‐hexene comonomer on polyethylene particle growth and copolymer chemical composition distribution

An investigation of the polymer particle growth characteristics and polymer molecular weight and composition distributions in ethylene homopolymerization and ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization has been carried out with a catalyst comprising a zirconocene and methylaluminoxane immobilized on a silica support. The presence of 1‐hexene leads to higher productivity and easier fragmentation of the support during particle growth. Crystallization analysis fractionation and gel permeation chromatography analysis of ethylene/1‐hexene copolymers prepared at different polymerization times reveals a broadening of the chemical composition distribution with increasing polymerization time as a result of the gradual formation of a relatively high‐molecular‐weight, ethylene‐rich fraction. The results are indicative of significant monomer diffusion effects in both homopolymerization and copolymerization. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2883–2890, 2006     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate via reversibly supported catalysts on silica gel via self‐assembly

A reversible catalyst immobilization system via self‐assembly of hydrogen bonding between thymine anchored on silica gel support and 2,6‐diaminopyridine functionalized with a catalyst (copper bromide‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraethyldiethylenetriamine (TEDETA) complex) was developed for the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA). At elevated temperatures, the hydrogen bonding disassociated and released the catalyst as free small molecules for catalysis, which effectively mediated a living polymerization of MMA, producing PMMA with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution (<1.3). At room temperature, the catalyst assembled on the silica gel support by hydrogen bonding, and thus could be recovered and reused for a second run of ATRP. The recovered catalyst still mediated a living polymerization of MMA with reduced activity (54–64%), but had much improved control of the polymerization. The resulting PMMA had molecular weights very close to theoretical vales. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 22–30, 2004     

Zirconocene interaction with MAO on (111) and (100) silica surfaces

This work examines a polymerisation catalyst based on zirconocene with methylaluminoxane (MAO) as a cocatalyst on silica surfaces. Calculations were carried out using the Atom Superposition and Electron Delocalisation method (ASED‐MO) considering the (111) and (100) silica planes, both completely and partially hydrated. Our results suggest the production of a cationic zirconocene as a final step for the active site formation for (111) silica plane, occurring preferentially on partially hydrated silica. On the contrary this may not be possible for the (100) plane, resulting in this case in the formation of a MAO‐zirconocene complex as a final and most stable state.     

Polymer‐supported zirconocene catalyst for ethylene polymerization

The use of crosslinked poly(styrene‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine) having functional groups as the support for zirconocene catalysts in ethylene polymerization was studied. Several factors affecting the activity of the catalysts were examined. Conditions like time, temperature, Al/N (molar ratio), Al/Zr (molar ratio), and the mode of feeding were found having no significant influence on the activity of the catalysts, while the state of the supports had a great effect on the catalytic behavior. The activity of the catalysts sharply increased with either the degree of crosslinking or the content of 4‐vinylpyridine in the support. Via aluminum compounds, AlR₃ or methylaluminoxane (MAO), zirconocene was attached on the surface of the support. IR spectra showed an intensified and shifted absorption bands of C N in the pyridine ring, and a new absorption band appeared at about 730 cm⁻¹ indicating a stable bond Al N formed in the polymer‐supported catalysts. The formation of cationic active centers was hypothesized and the performance of the polymer‐supported zirconocene was discussed as well. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 37–46, 1999     

Preparation and application of a novel core–shell‐particle‐supported zirconocene catalyst

The use of functional groups bearing silica/poly(styrene‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine) core–shell particles as a support for a zirconocene catalyst in ethylene polymerization was studied. Several factors affecting the behavior of the supported catalyst and the properties of the resulting polymer, such as time, temperature, Al/N (molar ratio), and Al/Zr (molar ratio), were examined. The conditions of the supported catalyst preparation were more important than those of the ethylene polymerization. The state of the supported catalyst itself played a decisive role in both the catalytic behavior of the supported catalyst and the properties of polyethylene (PE). IR and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to follow the formation of the supports. The formation of cationic active species is hypothesized, and the performance of the core–shell‐particle‐supported zirconocene catalyst is discussed as well. The bulk density of the PE formed was higher than that of the polymer obtained from homogeneous and polymer‐supported Cp₂ZrCl₂/methylaluminoxane catalyst systems. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2085–2092, 2001     

The “comonomer effect” in ethylene/α‐olefin copolymerization using homogeneous and silica‐supported Cp2ZrCl2/MAO catalyst systems: Some insights from the kinetics of polymerization,active center studies,and polymerization temperature

Homogeneous and silica‐supported Cp₂ZrCl₂/methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyst systems have been used for the copolymerization of ethylene with 1‐butene, 1‐hexene, 4‐methylpentene‐1 (4‐MP‐1), and 1‐octene in order to compare the “comonomer effect” obtained with a homogeneous metallocene‐based catalyst system with that obtained using a heterogenized form of the same metallocene‐based catalyst system. The results obtained indicated that at 70 °C there was general rate depression with the homogeneous catalyst system whereas rate enhancement occurred in all copolymerizations carried out with the silica‐supported catalyst system. Rate enhancement was observed for both the homogeneous and the silica‐supported catalyst systems when ethylene/4‐MP‐1 copolymerization was carried out at 50 °C. Active center studies during ethylene/4‐MP‐1 copolymerization indicated that the rate depression during copolymerization using the homogeneous catalyst system at 70 °C was due to a reduction in the active center concentration. However, the increase in polymerization rate when the silica‐supported catalyst system was used at the same temperature resulted from an increase in the propagation rate coefficient. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 267–277, 2008     

Immobilization and Activation of a Single‐Site Chromium Catalyst for Ethylene Polymerization using MgCl2/AlRn(OEt)3 − n Supports

Summary: The effective immobilization and activation of a single‐site chromium catalyst for ethylene polymerization has been achieved using MgCl₂/AlR_n(OEt)_{3 − n} supports, without the use of methylaluminoxane (MAO) or a borate activator. High catalyst activity and a spherical polyethylene‐particle morphology is obtained. Furthermore, the single‐site characteristics of the catalyst are retained, the narrow molecular weight distribution of the polymers obtained are apparent from gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and confirmed by rheological characterization.

Shear frequency dependence of the storage modulus of (♦ and ▴) polyethylene ( = 1.8–1.9) prepared using an immobilized Cr catalyst, compared to (▪) a reference polymer having = 4.1.     

Comparison of Syndiotactic Polystyrene Morphology Obtained Via Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Polymerization with Metallocene Catalyst

Summary: Supported catalyst system for the slurry phase polymerization of styrene in toluene was prepared by the immobilization of 2-methylindenyltrichlorotitanium(2-MeIndTiCl₃) on silica and activation of this catalyst was performed by methylaluminoxane(MAO) in polymerization media. Homogeneous polymerization of styrene with 2-methylindenyltrichlorotitanium activated by MAO was performed in toluene. The morphology of obtained syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) via heterogeneous and homhgeneous catalyst system was compared. Polymerization of styrene by homogeneous catalyst lead to formation of gel and resultant polymers presented a compact and dense texture while the global gelation do not occur with silica supported catalyst at different Ti/SiO₂ mol ratios and sPS was obtained as separated particles. Unlike to the homogeneous catalyst, obtained polymers showed a porous texture. Highly porous texture of sPS was obtained with Ti/SiO₂ = 0.5% mol ratio.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyethylene/clay–silica nanocomposites: A montmorillonite/silica‐hybrid‐supported catalyst and in situ polymerization

A novel approach to the preparation of polyethylene (PE) nanocomposites, with montmorillonite/silica hybrid (MT‐Si) supported catalyst, was developed. MT‐Si was prepared by depositing silica nanoparticles between galleries of the MT. A common zirconocene catalyst [bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride/methylaluminoxane] was fixed on the MT‐Si surface by a simple method. After ethylene polymerization, two classes of nanofillers (clay layers and silica nanoparticles) were dispersed concurrently in the PE matrix and PE/clay–silica nanocomposites were obtained. Exfoliation of the clay layers and dispersion of the silica nanoparticles were examined with transmission electron microscopy. Physical properties of the nanocomposites were characterized by tensile tests, dynamic mechanical analysis, and DSC. The nanocomposites with a low nanofiller loading (<10 wt %) exhibited good mechanical properties. The nanocomposite powder produced with the supported catalyst had a granular morphology and a high bulk density, typical of a heterogeneous catalyst system. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 941–949, 2004     

Preparation and characterization of SBA‐15 supported iron(II)‐bisimine pyridine catalyst for ethylene polymerization

2,6‐Diacetylpyridinebis (2,6‐diisopropylani) iron dichloride, a late‐transition metal catalyst for olefin polymerization, was supported on SBA‐15 successfully and the property of the supported catalyst was carefully studied. Ethylene polymerization was systematically investigated in the presence of MAO under various conditions employing this type of catalyst system. In general, after support, a decrease in the catalytic activity was observed and higher molecular weight and fibrous morphology of polyethylene were obtained. The “extrusion polymerization” phenomenon was observed in ethylene polymerization by using the supported catalyst system. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4830–4837, 2004     

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene produced by a bis(phenoxy‐imine) titanium complex supported on latex particles

The applicability of latex particle supports for non‐Cp type metallocene catalysts for ethylene polymerization is presented. Polystyrene latex particles were prepared by miniemulsion polymerization and functionalized with poly(ethyleneoxide)chains and pyridyl groups on the surface. These latex particles were chosen to demonstrate that a support with nucleophilic substituents on the surface can act as a carrier for a (phenoxy‐imine) titanium complex (titanium FI‐catalyst) to produce ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The composition of the support, the concentration of pyridyl groups on the surface, and the crosslinking of the support were optimized to provide a system where the FI‐catalyst resulted in the formation of polyethylene with a M_w of more than 6,000,000 and a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution of 3.0 ± 0.5. High activities for long polymerization times greater than 6 h resulted in a catalyst system exhibiting productivities of up to 15,000 g PE/g cat. or 7,000,000 g PE/g Ti. The resulting polymer properties showed that nucleophilic groups on the latex particle support did not negatively impact the catalyst by blocking the active site but instead created a stable environment for the titanium catalyst. In particular, pyridyl groups on the surface of the latex particle stabilized the catalyst system probably by trapping trimethylaluminium. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3103–3113, 2006     

Metallocene supported on a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane‐modified silica with high catalytic activity for ethylene polymerization

A polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) consisting of a mixture of perfect and imperfect polyhedra with 8–10 Si atoms bonded to bulky and branched organic groups functionalized with (β‐hydroxy)‐tertiary amines, was adsorbed on an activated silica from a toluene solution. POSS fixation was confirmed by measuring its concentration in the solutions resulting from filtering and repeatedly washing with toluene. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier‐transformed (DRIFTS) spectra of the modified silica showed a decrease in the absorption of isolated SiOH groups. A POSS previously marked by reaction with an isocyanate was also used, and the presence of the carbonyl in the urethane group was recorded in the DRIFTS spectra of the modified silica, confirming the presence of adsorbed POSS. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to measure the amount of Si (2p) of POSS adsorbed on the SiO₂ surface as a function of the POSS concentration in the toluene solution. A linear increase of adsorbed POSS as a function of its concentration in toluene was found, even after successive washings with toluene. A metallocene, (nBuCp)₂ZrCl₂, was then adsorbed on the POSS‐modified silica from a toluene solution, and the fixed Zr amount was measured by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). The activity of the resulting catalyst for ethylene polymerization in toluene, using methylaluminoxane (MAO) as a cocatalyst, was determined in two different devices operating in the range of 1.6–7.0 bar. Under every experimental condition, POSS‐modification of the silica support led to an increase of about 50% in the activity of the resulting catalyst when compared to the use of the unmodified support. Reasons for the observed increase in activity are discussed. The molar mass distribution and crystallinity of the resulting polyethylenes was not affected by the POSS modification of the silica support. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 5465–5476, 2005     

A solid homogeneous zirconocene catalyst from Cp2ZrCl2 supported on porous polymer particles

Monodisperse cyano‐functionalized porous polymeric beads were synthesized by seeded polymerization; these microparticles were further used as support for zirconocene catalyst, which performed as a solid homogeneous catalyst in ethylene polymerization. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

In situ polymerization of ethylene using metallocene catalysts: Effect of clay pretreatment on the properties of highly filled polyethylene nanocomposites

Highly filled polyethylene (PE)‐based nanocomposites were obtained by insitu polymerization technique. An organically modified montmorillonite, Cloisite® 15A (C15A), was previously treated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) to form a supported cocatalyst (C15A/MAO) before being contacted with a zirconocene catalyst. The main features of C15A/MAO intermediates were studied by elemental analysis, TGA, TGA‐FTIR, WAXD, and TEM. MAO reacts with the clay, replaces most of the organic surfactant within the clay galleries and destroys the typical crystrallographic order of the nanoclay. The catalytic activity in the presence of C15A/MAO is higher than in ethylene polymerization without any inorganic filler and increases with MAO supportation time. This indicates that part of the polymer chains grows within the clay galleries, separates them, and makes it possible to tune the final morphology of the composites. The polymerization results and the influence of C15A pretreatment and polymerization conditions on thermal and morphological properties of the hybrid PE/C15A nanocomposites are presented. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5390–5403, 2008     

Novel polystyrene‐supported zirconocene catalyst for olefin polymerization and its catalytic kinetics

Through the Diels–Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene groups attached to polystyrene in the presence of zirconocene, novel polystyrene‐supported metallocene catalysts were prepared. A novel method for immobilizing metallocene catalysts was investigated, and the resultant polystyrene‐supported metallocene for olefin polymerization was studied. The results of olefin polymerization showed that different crosslinking degrees of support in the catalyst system had significant effects on the catalytic behavior. The influence of the [Al]/[Zr] molar ratio and the temperature on the (co)polymerization activity was studied. When 1‐hexene and 1‐dodecene were used for copolymerization with ethylene, an obvious positive comonomer effect was observed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2650–2656, 2005     

有机-无机复合载体茂锆催化剂的制备及乙烯聚合

合成了组成为聚(4-乙烯基吡啶)-硅胶(SAV)的有机-无机复合载体茂锆催化剂,并用固体13C-NMR谱、元素分析(EA)、光电子能谱(XPS)等方法进行了表征.发现由SAV负载的茂锆催化剂可在相对较低的甲基铝氧烷(Al/Zr=600)用量下聚合乙烯.其活性(1.12×103kg PE/mol Zr.h)远高于SiO2负载的茂锆催化剂(0.22×103kg PE/mol Zr.h).     

Studies of structural composition distribution heterogeneity in ethylene/1-hexene copolymers using thermal fractionation technique (SSA): Effect of catalyst structure

Investigations into the compositional heterogeneity of ethylene/1-hexene copolymers obtained with various zirconocene/MAO catalysts, either homogeneous or supported on inorganic carriers such as a complex of magnesium chloride with tetrahydrofuran or methyl alcohol, were conducted. The dependence between metallocene structure, as well as catalyst immobilization, and the compositional heterogeneity of the related products was investigated. It was found that the heterogeneity of copolymers is determined by the metallocene catalyst structure. The amount of peaks on the DSC thermograms of copolymers and their division increase with the increase of bulkiness of the ligand in the catalytic system. The immobilization of the investigated catalysts on the magnesium carrier leads to an increase of the copolymer's compositional heterogeneity. However, the modification of the MgCl₂ carrier by tetrahydrofuran or methyl alcohol seems to not have any influence on the copolymers’ CCD.     

ESR studies on oxidation state of titanocene and zirconocene catalysts

An on‐line electron spin resonance (ESR) technique was applied to investigate the oxidation states of the metallocene catalysts CpTiCl₃, CpZrCl₃, Cp₂TiCl₂, and Cp₂ZrCl₂. These metallocene catalysts were activated by modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO). It was found that the titanocene catalysts (CpTiCl₃ and Cp₂TiCl₂) were readily reduced to the trivalent state while the zirconocene catalysts (CpZrCl₃ and Cp₂ZrCl₂) were quite stable with respect to reduction. The concentrations of the trivalent species Ti(III) and Zr(III) showed linear relationships with the concentrations of metallocene catalyst precursors. However, their slopes were always smaller than unity indicating the existence of bimetallic interactions of the active sites. The ESR detectable Ti(III) and Zr(III) concentrations initially increased with the MAO/catalyst ratio and then leveled off after an 800–1000 Al/catalyst molar ratio. The deactivation processes were followed as a function of aging time over a range of temperature (25–100°C). The decay curves strongly depended on aging temperature with higher temperature giving faster decay rates. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1465–1472, 1999     

In situ polymerization of ethylene with bis(imino)pyridine iron(II) catalysts supported on clay: The synthesis and characterization of polyethylene–clay nanocomposites

Polyethylene–clay nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ polymerization with 2,6‐bis[1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenylimino)ethyl] pyridine iron(II) dichloride supported on a modified montmorillonite clay pretreated with methylaluminoxane (MAO). The catalysts and the obtained nanocomposites were examined with wide‐angle X‐ray scattering. The exfoliation of the clay was further established by transmission electron microscopy. Upon the treatment of the clay with MAO, there was an increase in the d‐spacing of the clay galleries. No further increase in the d‐spacing of the galleries was observed with the iron catalyst supported on the MAO‐treated clay. The catalyst activity for ethylene polymerization was independent of the Al/Fe ratio. The exfoliation of the clay inside the polymer matrix depended on various parameters, such as the clay content, catalyst content, and Al/Fe ratio. The crystallinity percentage and crystallite size of the nanocomposites were affected by the degree of exfoliation of the clay. Moreover, when ethylene was polymerized with a mixture of the homogeneous iron(II) catalyst and clay, the degree of exfoliation was significantly lower than when the polymerization was performed with a preformed clay‐supported catalyst. This observation suggested that in the supported catalyst, at least some of the active centers resided within the galleries of the clay. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 304–318, 2005