Disperse Composition of Titanium–Magnesium Catalyst Particles and <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-1,4-Polyisoprene Granules in Short-Time Polymerization

The disperse composition of trans-1,4-polyisoprene granules and supported titatium–magnesium catalyst particles in the ultrarapid polymerization of isoprene within 0.1–0.7 s is studied. It is shown that within this period the alteration of external and internal fragmentations occurs between two fractions of polymer granules that are formed by 0.1 s of polymerization and already contain significantly fragmented catalyst particles. The correlation between these processes and molecular mass characteristics of trans-1,4-polyisoprene is investigated. It is found that the external fragmentation is accompanied by a decrease in the average molecular masses of the polymer, while the internal fragmentation leads to formation of a higher molecular mass trans-1,4-polyisoprene. As a result, the fraction of polymer granules with a diameter of 7.5 μm is formed by 0.7 s of polymerization and replication to high conversions is developed on their basis.     

Kinetic features of short-time polymerization of isoprene in the presence of supported titanium–magnesium catalyst

Short-time polymerization of isoprene under the action of supported titanium–magnesium catalyst is carried out. The pulsation mixing of the reagent flows and the unit design features allow one to reduce the average residence time of reagents in the reaction zone and to study the first 0.7 s of the isoprene polymerization. It is found that, very early in polymerization, the propagation of polyisoprene macromolecules proceeds on the surface of the primary aggregates of catalyst particles characteristic of a high trans-1,4 specificity via the “living” mechanism with a high rate. Furthermore, the fragmentation of the initial aggregates of the catalyst particles occurs, which results in formation of new polymerization centers, a decrease in the average molecular masses of polyisoprene, and a broadening of the polymer MMD. The results are explained by the existence of a range of the kinetic continuity of the rapid initiation stage and several subsequent stages of macromolecule propagation, followed by a significant decrease in the chain propagation rate constant compared to the initiation constant.     

Influence of the synthesis conditions on the structure and composition of the titanium–magnesium nanocatalyst and on its activity in isoprene polymerization

Synthesis of titanium–magnesium nanocatalyst in a high-pressure reactor under the conditions modeling the industrial conditions was studied. A laboratory scale plant including the units for the product synthesis, washing, and filtration was developed. The effect of elevated pressure (10–90 atm) on the process course, on the properties of the catalyst formed, and on the isoprene polymerization was studied for the first time. An increase in pressure leads to an increase in titanium incorporation into the catalyst from 1.52 to 2–2.3 wt % and simultaneously to an increase in the trivalent titanium content to 81 wt %. The titanium–magnesium nanocatalyst with such properties exhibits enhanced performance in isoprene polymerization without deteriorating the polymer microstructure. The development of the catalyst synthesis procedure on the laboratory scale plant will allow pilot-scale modeling of this process in the future.     

Studies on Ziegler-Natta catalysts. Part IV. Chemical nature of the active site

The determination of the number of sites active in the polymerization of ethylene on the surface of α-TiCl₃–Al(CH₃)₃ dry catalysts leads to the conclusion that this number is small in comparison to the total surface of the catalyst. Qualitatively this conclusion is also reached by two other independent methods. Infrared spectra of the catalyst before and after polymerization do not show a change in the type of bonds present in the surface. Electron microscopy proves that no active sites are formed on the basal plane of the α-TiCl₃ which constitutes 95% of the total surface. The results strongly favor the lateral faces of α-TiCl₃ as the preferred location of active centers. The lateral faces contain chlorine vacancies and incompletely coordinated titanium atoms. This must then be the essential conditions for the formation of active centers. The propagation of the polymer chain has been repeatedly shown to follow an insertion mechanism. The active site, therefore, necessarily contains a metal–carbon bond. The study of catalysts derived from TiCl₃CH₃ leads to the conclusion that a Ti? C bond on titanium of incomplete coordination is the active species in these cases. The alkylation of surface titanium atoms was proven to be an intermediate step in the catalyst formation from TiCl₃ and AlR₃. Survival of titanium–alkyl bonds on the lateral faces, where titanium atoms are incompletely coordinated explains best, in the light of our data, the activity of Ziegler-Natta catalysts. Coordination of aluminum alkyl compounds in or around the active center probably complicates the structure of the active centers.     

Effect of Sulfate Anion Additions on the Phase Composition and Structure of Titanium Dioxide

Methods of X-ray diffraction analysis, electron microscopy, and microanalysis were used to examine the phase composition and structure of sulfate-anion-containing titanium dioxide samples into which a modifier was introduced by impregnation and by the sol-gel technique. It was demonstrated that the modification of titanium dioxide by the impregnation method results in that an ordered surface structure is formed, which is constituted by accreted crystallites 8–10 μm in size. In this structure, sulfate anions are stabilized at interblock boundaries. Titanium dioxide modified by the sol-gel method has the form of loosely packed coarse aggregates with sizes of about 30–32 μm. The appearance of the titanium tetrasulfide phase mostly situated on the surface was observed in its composition. The microstructural features and, in particular, enrichment of the surface of a sol-gel sample with sulfur and a decrease in dispersity are determined by the catalyst preparation conditions.     

Regularities of diene copolymerization by coordination catalytic systems and the mechanism of stereoregulation

A study has been conducted of the relative reactivity of a series of dienes (butadiene, isoprene, 2,3-dimethylbutadiene, cyclohexadiene-1,3), as well as of butadiene and styrene, in copolymerization by various coordination catalyst systems based on transition metals: nickel, cobalt, titanium, chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten. The microstructure of homopolymers and copolymers of dienes has been investigated. Regularities have been established in the mutual influence of the comonomers on the microstructure of a polymer chain. Experimental data on the influence of the concentration of diene monomer, and electron-donating and electron-accepting compounds on the microstructure of polydiene chain have been used in discussing the alternative mechanisms of stereoregulation in diene polymerization by active centers of the π-allyl type.     

气相法钛系乙烯聚合催化剂的研究──催化剂性质、颗粒形态对乙烯气相聚会及产物颗粒形态的影响

研究了研磨法(CM型)和结晶沉淀反应法(MG－2型)制备的2种乙烯聚合钛系载体催化剂.CM型催化剂含钛3.4％～4.0％,三价钛占总钛含量15％～25％,比表面积为130m₂/g,催化剂活性为9.20kgPE/gTi·h,聚合反应衰减快.MG－2型催化剂含钛7.0％～8.0％,三价钛占总钛含量55％～69％,比表面积为78m₂/g,催化活性为4.45kgPE/(gTi·h),聚合反应衰减慢,反应平稳.对催化剂和聚合产物的扫描电镜和图象分析研究发现,催化剂颗粒小,颗粒分散度小,则聚会产物颗粒及颗粒分散度就小;反之亦然.当CM型和MG－2型催化剂平均粒径(D_av)和颗粒分散度(D_avmax/D_avmin)分别为6.8、33μm和9.2、7.0时,相应聚合产物平均粒径和颗粒分散度分别为155、263μm和10.8、9.0.结果表明,聚合产物颗粒形态复现催化剂颗粒形态。     

Synthesis of cross-linked polymer microspheres in supercritical carbon dioxide

Herein we report the synthesis of highly cross-linked polymers based on divinylbenzene by heterogeneous polymerization in supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂). The polymers were isolated in the form of discrete microspheres (diameter = 1.5–5 μm) in good yields (≥90%), in the absence of any stabilizers. In the presence of a CO₂-soluble polymeric stabilizer, much smaller particles (diameter <0.5 μm) were formed in high yields (≥95%) by emulsion polymerization in scCO₂.     

Polymer-supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst for the polymerization of isoprene

A polymer-supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst, polystyrene-TiCl₄AlEt₂Cl (PS–TiCl₄AlEt₂Cl), was synthesized by reaction of polystyrene–TiCl₄ complex (PS–TiCl₄) with AlEt₂Cl. This catalyst showed the same, or lightly greater catalytic activity to the unsupported Ziegler–Natta catalyst for polymerization of isoprene. It also has much greater storability, and can be reused and regenerated. Its overall catalytic yield for isoprene polymerization is ca. 20 kg polyisoprene/gTi. The polymerization rate depends on catalyst titanium concentration, mole ratio of Al/Ti, monomer concentration, and temperature. The kinetic equation of this polymerization is: R_p = k[M]^0.30[Ti]^0.41[Al]^1.28, and the apparent activation energy ΔE_act = 14.5 kJ/Mol, and the frequency factor A_p = 33 L/(mol s). The mechanism of the isoprene polymerization catalyzed by the polymer-supported catalyst is also described. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Studies on Ziegler-Natta catalysts. Part V. Stereospecificity of the active center

Experimental results on Ziegler-Natta catalysts, based on observations made with the electron microscope, and a qualitative comparison of the stereospecificity of various catalyst combinations are given. The polymerization of olefin in these experiments is performed in the gas phase on dry catalysts in the absence of solvent or excess aluminium alkyl. The crystallographic structure of the lateral faces of α-TiCl₃ is established by electron microscopy and electron diffraction. The electron micrographs of α-TiCl₃–AlMe₃ catalysts show that the active centers, which are revealed by the dotwise formation of polymer, are located along the growth spirals, on lateral faces, and on surface defects. These regions of the surface are the only regions in which the surface titanium atoms are incompletely coordinated. The presence of chlorine vacancies and exposed titanium atoms is therefore an essential condition for the formation of active centers. However, the number of active centers is small in comparison to the number of incompletely coordinated titanium atoms, and hence it is concluded that the normally occurring α-TiCl₃ sites with one vacancy do not yield active centers on reaction with aluminum alkyl. It is proposed that the reaction with aluminum alkyl on such sites leads ultimately to a bimetallic complex which fills the original vacancy on the titanium atom. That the complexation is reversible and that the deblocked alkylated site, which is of the type proposed by Cossee, is an active center is not excluded. Such a center would, however, give atactic polymer. Similar complex formation on a TiCl₃ site having originally two vacancies would leave one vacancy on the titanium atom. This is believed to be the center of stereospecific polymerization. A model of this active center and a mechanism of polymer growth on it are proposed.     

Highly crosslinked micron-range polymer microspheres by dispersion polymerization of divinylbenzene

Narrow disperse microparticles are formed by dispersion polymerization of commercial divinylbenzene in acetonitrile or ethanol solution in the presence of 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) initiator and polyvinylpyrrolidone stabilizer. The particles have average diameters between 1 and 9 μm depending on monomer concentration, solvent, and temperature. While the smaller particles are relatively smooth, surface texture increases with diameter to give popcorn shapes at 9 μm diameter. High crosslinker concentration is shown to be essential for particle formation. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

X-ray microtomography studies of nascent polyolefin particles polymerized over magnesium chloride-supported catalysts

Drastic changes occur during the initial stages of the α-olefin polymerization over heterogeneous catalysts. Fragmentation of the support takes place as polymer is formed at the active sites within the voids of the support/catalyst. Magnesium chloride-supported titanium catalyst/polymer particles have been analyzed employing high-resolution computed microtomography (CMT) using synchrotron radiation at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The changes in morphology, the spatial distribution of the support/catalyst fragments, porosity, and polymer distribution in single growing polypropylene and polyethylene particles have been studied. These studies documented considerable macroporosity ( > 2 μm in size) within the growing catalyst/support/polymer particles. The largest pores may be due to agglomeration of smaller subparticles. Our results confirm that the initial fragmentation of the support proceeds readily and uniformly to yield a multi-grain growth of subparticle agglomerates. The support/catalyst fragments appear to be distributed relatively uniformly within the growing polymer particle. The surface of the subparticle agglomerates is accessible through the void-space between growing catalyst/particle grains. This may facilitate monomer transport to the activate sites through the polymer/catalyst particles. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Aluminosilicate Catalysis of Chalcone Diels–Alder Reactions

Previously unreported Diels–Alder adducts of substituted chalcones with isoprene and myrcene have been formed at more than 0°C by employing a nanoporous aluminosilicate catalyst. This catalyst eliminates problems with diene polymerization that are encountered with many other Lewis acids. The chalcone component has some size restrictions.     

Kinetic nonuniformity of a titanium catalyst in the polymerization of butadiene: Effect of intensifying stirring of the reaction mixture

Intensification of turbulent stirring of the reaction mixture in the course of butadiene polymerization on a titanium catalyst promotes a successive increase in the rate of reaction with increasing polymer content. Independent of the viscosity of the reaction mixture, the concentration of active centers forming the low-molecular-mass fraction of polybutadiene decreases and the molecular mass distribution narrows. The reactivity distribution of active centers is determined by the hydrodynamic effect, and it does not depend on the increasing viscosity of the reaction mixture. This suggests an insignificant influence of viscosity and, hence, diffusion limitations on the distribution of active centers of polymerization over the probability of chain propagation.     

Formation of the structure of cerium oxide-modified titanium dioxide

The formation of the structure of titanium dioxide containing 3–15 wt % CeO₂ in a wide temperature range (300–850°C) has been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopy, and adsorption methods. Modification of titanium dioxide with cerium oxide causes the formation of nanostructured Ce-Ti-O compounds consisting of incoherently intergrown fine anatase crystallites. The crystallites are separated by interblock boundaries in which cerium ions are stabilized. The nanostructure formed in the Ce-TiO₂ oxide system stabilizes the anatase phase, prevents the sintering of anatase particles at high temperatures, and allows modified anatase to retain a larger specific surface area and a higher porosity upon heat treatment than pure titanium dioxide does.     

Polymer sheets with a thin nanocomposite layer acting as a UV filter

A surface layer (thickness 1–10 μm) containing colloidal TiO₂ or ZnO particles was prepared in EVA (a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate). The inorganic particles were formed in situ by hydrolysis of incorporated titanium tetrachloride or diethyl zinc. The resulting materials were analyzed with UV spectroscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and atomic emission spectroscopy. The average diameter of the embedded TiO₂ particles was 70 nm; these particles absorb UV radiation but also induce opacity in the polymer sheets in the visible wavelengths range. The ZnO particles were smaller (average diameter 15 nm); with a surface layer of embedded ZnO, transparent polymer sheets can be obtained that absorb UV radiation. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modification of titanium catalytic systems for 1,4-cis-polyisoprene synthesis

The kinetics of isoprene polymerization in an aliphatic solvent on a titanium catalyst modified with n- and π-electron-donor additives, with preliminary single circulation of the reaction mixture through a tubular turbulent apparatus, was studied.     

High activity Ziegler–Natta catalysts for the preparation of ethylene copolymers

High activity ethylene polymerization catalysts have been prepared by the interaction of ethylmagnesium chloride in tetrahydrofuran with high surface area silica, followed by reaction with excess titanium tetrachloride in heptane. The catalysts were tested in ethylene—hexene copolymerization reactions in the presence of AlEt₃ at 80°C. For comparison purposes, the copolymerization properties of a similar catalyst prepared without silica were also evaluated. Preparative conditions were identified which provide catalysts that possess high reactivity towards 1-hexane. The silica and the amount of magnesium used in catalyst preparation strongly affect the copolymerization properties of the catalysts. Generally, catalysts prepared with silica showed much higher sensitivity to 1-hexene (effective reactivity ratio r₁ = 25–60) while a similar catalyst prepared without silica exhibited an r₁ value of 125. Fractionation of the copolymer with a series of boiling solvents showed that all the catalysts exhibit a wide distribution of active centers with respect to reactivity ratios, with the r₁ values varying from 5–7 to ca. 200. The width of a the center distribution depends on catalyst composition—it is the narrowest for the catalyst prepared without silica and is the widest for the catalysts with intermediate Ti : Mg ratios.     

Seed Dispersion Polymerization to Micron-Size Monodisperse Polymer Particles

Abstract

Seed dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of monodisperse PMMA particles was carried out in an aqueous methanol using poly(methacrylic acid) stabilizer. The polymerization using 2. 5 μ. m-sized seed particles gave monodisperse PMMA particles in the diameter up to 4. 9 μm. The solvent composition and monomer concentration greatly affected the polymerization behavior. Under appropriate conditions, monodisperse PMMA particles in the diameter up to 8. 9 μ, m was prepared from 4. 6 μm-sized seed particles. The seed dispersion polymerization of styrene in the presence of the seed particles produced monodisperse PMMA-polystyrene particles in the micron range. The particles were supposed to have a structure consisting of PMMA-core and polystyrene-shell from ESCA analysis.     

Seeded polymerization of vinyl acetate using monodisperse poly(vinyl acetate) latex particles

The seeded polymerizations of vinyl acetate, using monodisperse poly(vinyl acetate) latex particles prepared in the absence of emulsifiers with potassium persulfate, have been investigated at 70°C with potassium persulfate as an initiator. New small particles were formed in the system containing a small amount of seed particles, but were not observed in the system containing a large amount of seed particles. The size of the secondary particles increased, and their number decreased, with an increase in the seed particle number. The minimum diameter of PVAc particles, which are stabilized by the sulfate ion groups bound at the end of polymer chains during polymerization, was determined to be 0.12 μm diameter from the limiting total surface area of seed particles which prevented further secondary nucleation. The minimum diameter of the particles increased as the speed of the stirrer increased. The new small particle number calculated using this value agreed well with that formed in the seeded polymerization.