Synthesis of Chain-End Functionalized PP and Applications in Exfoliated PP/Clay Nanocomposites

This paper summarizes our research to the preparation of chain-end functionalized isotactic polypropylene (i-PP) having a terminal functional group, such as an OH and an NH₂. The chemistry involves metallocene-mediated propylene polymerization using the rac-Me₂Si2-Me-4-Ph(Ind)]₂ZrCl₂/MAO complex in the presence of styrene derivatives (St-f) and hydrogen, which serve as the chain transfer agents. The molecular weight of the resulting i-PP polymers with terminal OH or NH₂ groups (i.e., PP-t-OH and PP-t-NH₂) are inversely proportional to the molar ratio of St-f]/propylene]. Despite the extremely low concentration of functional groups, the high molecular weight NH₃⁺-terminated PP (PP-t-NH₃⁺) exhibits a distinctive advantage over other functional PP polymers containing side chain functional groups or long functional blocks. The terminal hydrophilic NH₃⁺ cation, with good mobility and reactivity, effectively ion-exchanges the cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, etc.) located between the clay interlayers, and anchors the PP chain to the clay surfaces. On the other hand, the remaining rest of the unperturbed, end-tethered, high molecular weight PP tail exfoliates the clay layers. This exfoliated structure is maintained even after further mixing of the PP-bearing platelets with pure, neat PP polymers.