Preparation of linear low‐density polyethylene by in situ copolymerization of ethylene with Zr supported on montmorillonite/Fe/methylaluminoxane catalyst system

Linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) was prepared by in situ copolymerization of ethylene with dual‐functional catalysts that were composed of rac‐Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ supported on montmorillonite (MMT) and {[(2‐ArN?C(Me))₂C₅H₃N]FeCl₂} [Ar = 2,4‐C₆H₄(Me)₂] oligomerization catalyst. A series of polyethylenes with different degrees of branching were obtained by adjusting the ratio of Fe and Zr (Fe/Zr). DSC, NMR, GPC, SEM, and density‐gradient method were used to characterize the polymers. With increasing Fe/Zr ratio, the densities and melting points of polymers decreased, whereas the branching degrees and molecular weights increased. When the Fe/Zr ratio was increased, the activities of the catalysts decreased at atmospheric pressure and increased at 0.7 MPa ethylene pressure. SEM micrographs revealed that the morphology of branched polyethylene, produced with the catalyst supported on MMT, is better than that produced by the catalyst in a homogeneous system. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1690–1696, 2004     

Catalysis of ethylene to linear low‐density polyethylene with iron‐based diimine complex immobilized on calcosilicate and silica‐supported rac‐Et(Ind)2ZrCl2

Iron‐based diimine complex was immobilized on calcosilicate (CAS‐1) to form heterogeneous precatalyst, which oligomerized ethylene to α‐olefins even without the use of aluminum alkyl compounds as activators. The α‐olefins, upon the catalysis of another catalyst, i.e., silica‐supported rac‐Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂, copolymerized with ethylene to produce linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE). The copolymerization reactions could be performed with the addition of triethylaluminum alone because of the introduction of methylaluminoxane to CAS‐1 and silica during the supporting process. In addition to the formation of more α‐olefins with lower molar mass, the layered structure of CAS‐1 acted well in the controlled release of α‐olefins in the copolymerization process. The simultaneous employment of the aforementioned two catalysts hence resulted in high catalytic activities, smooth kinetic process, well‐regulated branching degree, higher molecular weights (M_n), improved thermal stability, and better morphology of the LLDPE obtained. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

TGA analysis of γ‐irradiated linear low‐density polyethylene

Linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE), based on butene‐1 or hexene‐1, was irradiated with γ‐rays under vacuum or in the presence of air. The study focused on the influence of the dose rate and the γ‐dose on the thermal properties of LLDPE. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and TGA/FTIR techniques were used to address the thermal behavior as a result of γ‐irradiation. During this irradiation, competition between crosslinking and scission reactions, subsequent to oxidation reactions, occurred in the polymeric material, which strongly depends on the experimental conditions. A decrease of the crystallinity for γ‐irradiated samples was observed in particular for samples irradiated under vacuum. This observation may be explained by increased hindrance of segment mobility due to crosslinking reactions that prevent crystal growth. TGA investigations revealed an enhancement of the thermal stability for samples irradiated under vacuum but not for those irradiated in air. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2790–2795, 2006     

Copolymerization of ethylene/α‐olefins using bis(2‐phenylindenyl)zirconium dichloride metallocene catalyst: structural study of comonomer distribution

Catalysts have a major role in the polymerization of olefins and exert their influence in three ways: (1) polymerization behaviour, including polymerization activity and kinetics; (2) polymer particle morphology, including bulk density, particle size, particle size distribution and particle shape; and (3) polymer microstructure, including molecular weight regulation, chemical composition distribution and short‐ and long‐chain branching. By tailoring the catalyst structure, such as the creation of a bridge or introducing a substituent on the ligand, metallocene catalysts can play a major role in the achievement of desirable properties. Kinetic profiles of the metallocene catalyst used in this study showed decay‐type behaviour for copolymerization of ethylene/α‐olefins. It was observed that increasing the comonomer ratio in the feedstock affected physical properties such as reducing the melting temperature, crystallinity, density and molecular weight of the copolymers. It was also observed that the heterogeneity of the chemical composition distribution and the physical properties were enhanced as the comonomer molecular weight was increased. In particular, 2‐phenyl substitution on the indenyl ring reduced somewhat the melting point of the copolymers. In addition, the copolymer produced using bis(2‐phenylindenyl)zirconium dichloride (bis(2‐PhInd)ZrCl₂) catalyst exhibited a narrower distribution of lamellae (0.3–0.9 nm) than the polymer produced using bisindenylzirconium dichloride catalyst (0.5–3.6 nm). The results obtained indicate that the bis(2‐PhInd)ZrCl₂ catalyst showed a good comonomer incorporation ability. The heterogeneity of the chemical composition distribution and the physical properties were influenced by the type of comonomer and type of substituent in the catalyst. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Copolymerization of ethylene/α‐olefins over (2‐MeInd)2ZrCl2/MAO and (2‐BzInd)2ZrCl2/MAO systems

Ethylene homopolymerization and ethylene/α‐olefin copolymerization were carried out using unbridged and 2‐alkyl substituted bis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride complexes such as (2‐MeInd)₂ZrCl₂ and (2‐BzInd)₂ZrCl₂. Various concentrations of 1‐hexene, 1‐dodecene, and 1‐octadecene were used in order to find the effect of chain length of α‐olefins on the copolymerization behavior. In ethylene homopolymerization, catalytic activity increased at higher polymerization temperature, and (2‐MeInd)₂ZrCl₂ showed higher activity than (2‐BzInd)₂ZrCl₂. The increase of catalytic activity with addition of comonomer (the synergistic effect) was not observed except in the case of ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization at 40°C. The monomer reactivity ratios of ethylene increased with the decrease of polymerization temperature, while those of α‐olefin showed the reverse trend. The two catalysts showed similar copolymerization reactivity ratios. (2‐MeInd)₂ZrCl₂ produced the copolymer with higher M_w than (2‐BzInd)₂ZrCl₂. The melting temperature and the crystallinity decreased drastically with the increase of the α‐olefin content but T_m as a function of weight fraction of the α‐olefins showed similar decreasing behavior. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 928–937, 2000     

Study on copolymerization of ethylene/1‐hexene catalyzed by a novel polystyrene‐supported metallocene catalyst

Ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization was carried out with polystyrene‐supported metallocene catalyst. It was found that the kinetic of the copolymerization was strongly influenced by the steric hindrance of carrier. The influences of 1‐hexene concentration in the feed on catalyst productivity and comonomer reactivity were investigated. The microstructure of resultant copolymer was analyzed by ¹³C NMR. It was found that the different carriers have slight effect on the composite of copolymer. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 1574–1577, 2006     

Modifying adhesion of linear low‐density polyethylene to polypropylene by blending with a homogeneous ethylene copolymer

Adhesion of a Ziegler–Natta catalyzed ethylene copolymer (ZNPE) to polypropylene (PP) was studied by measuring the delamination toughness G of coextruded microlayers by using the T‐peel test. Low values of G compared to a homogeneous copolymer with approximately the same short chain branch (SCB) content were attributed to an amorphous interfacial layer of low molecular weight, highly branched ZNPE fractions. Blending ZNPE with a homogeneous metallocene catalyzed copolymer (mPE) increased G. In this regard, mPE with higher SCB content was more effective than mPE with slightly lower SCB content. The ZNPE interface was mimicked by microlayering ZNPE and ZNPE blends with polystyrene from which the ZNPE layers were easily separated without damage to the surface. Examination with atomic force microscopy revealed a soft coating about 8 nm thick on the surface of the ZNPE layer. Blending with mPE reduced or eliminated the amorphous interfacial layer. It was proposed that mPE increased miscibility of low molecular weight, highly branched fractions of ZNPE and prevented their segregation at the interface. After blending with mPE eliminated the interfacial layer, G increased to a value comparable to that of a homogeneous copolymer with about the same SCB content as ZNPE bulk chains. The increase in G was attributed to epitaxial crystallization of the ethylene copolymer in the absence of an amorphous interfacial layer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 109–115, 2004     

Copolymerization of polypropylene and functionalized linear α‐olefin onto glass fibers

This work deals with a novel glass fiber surface modification and subsequent metallocenic propylene polymerization onto it. Experimental results are presented on methylaluminoxane (MAO) fixation at the fiber surface, followed by propylene–α‐olefin graft copolymerization catalyzed by EtInd₂ZrCl₂/MAO. First results indicate that part of the produced polymer is chemically bonded to the glass fiber. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray disperse energy microanalysis characterization confirm the permanence of a thin polymer layer as well as aluminum and oxygen (from the MAO) on the glass surface, even after a severe solvent extraction treatment. From these results, the copolymerization of hydroxy‐α‐olefin, grafted on MAO pretreated glass fiber, is foreseen as a possible way to improve fiber–matrix adhesion in glass fiber thermoplastic composites. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1266–1276, 2001     

Process efficiency and long‐term performance of α‐tocopherol in film‐blown linear low‐density polyethylene

α‐Tocopherol was compared with a commercial phenolic antioxidant (Irganox 1076) as a long‐term and process antioxidant in film‐blown and compression‐molded linear low‐density polyethylene. The antioxidant function of α‐tocopherol was high in the film‐blown material, especially in the processing, according to oxygen induction time measurements with differential scanning calorimetry. The residual content of α‐tocopherol after processing, determined with chromatographic techniques, was less than that of the commercial phenolic antioxidant in both the film‐blown and compression‐molded materials. The process stabilizing efficiency was nevertheless higher for the material containing α‐tocopherol. During the long‐term stabilization, the efficiency of α‐tocopherol was less than that of the commercial phenolic stabilizer Irganox 1076 in the thin films, according to chemiluminescence and infrared measurements. The long‐term efficiency in the compression‐molded samples stabilized with α‐tocopherol or Irganox 1076 was equally good because of the low loss of both α‐tocopherol and Irganox 1076 from the thicker films. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2427–2439, 2005     

Study on molecular chain heterogeneity of linear low‐density polyethylene by cross‐fractionation of temperature rising elution fractionation and successive self‐nucleation/annealing thermal fractionation

The molecular chain heterogeneity of commercial linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) was investigated by cross‐fractionation of temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) and successive self‐nucleation/annealing (SSA) thermal fractionation by use of DSC. The results indicate that the linear relationships between crystallinity or melting temperature and the elution temperature are confirmed by TREF fractions. Intermolecular heterogeneity exists in the original LLDPE, whereas there is less intermolecular heterogeneity in the TREF fractions. After SSA thermal fractionation, the multiple endothermic peaks for both LLDPE and their TREF fractions are mainly attributed to the heterogeneities of ethylene sequence length (ESL) and lamellar thickness. The statistical terms, including weighted mean L _w, arithmetic mean L _n, and broad index L _w/L _n, were introduced to evaluate the heterogeneities of ESL and lamellar thickness of polyethylene. The difference of broadness index indicates that TREF fractions of LLDPE have less inter‐ and intramolecular heterogeneities of both ESL and lamellar thickness than those of the original LLDPE. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1710–1718, 2004     

In situ copolymerization of ethylene to produce linear low‐density polyethylene by Ti(OBu)4/AlEt3‐MAO/SiO2/Et(Ind)2ZrCl2

Linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) is produced in a reactor from single ethylene feed by combining Ti(OBu)₄/AlEt₃, capable of forming α‐olefins (predominantly 1‐butene), with SiO₂‐supported Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂ (denoted MAO/SiO₂/Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂), which is able to copolymerize ethylene and 1‐butene in situ with little interference in the dual‐functional catalytic system. The two catalysts in the dual‐functional catalytic system match well because of the employment of triethylaluminum (AlEt₃) as the single cocatalyst to both Ti(OBu)₄ and MAO/SiO₂/Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂, exhibiting high polymerization activity and improved properties of the obtained polyethylene. There is a noticeable increment in catalytic activity when the amount of Ti(OBu)₄ in the reactor increases and 1‐butene can be incorporated by about 6.51 mol % in the backbone of polyethylene chains at the highest Ti(OBu)₄ concentration in the feed. The molecular weights (M_w), melting points, and crystallinity of the LLDPE descend as the amount of Ti(OBu)₄ decreases, which is attributed mainly to chain termination and high branching degree, while the molecular weight distribution remains within a narrow range as in the case of metallocene catalysts. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2451–2455, 2004     

Surface modification of linear low‐density polyethylene film by amphiphilic graft copolymers based on poly(higher α‐olefin)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol)

In this article, a series of amphiphilic graft copolymers, namely poly(higher α‐olefin‐co‐para‐methylstyrene)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol), and poly(higher α‐olefin‐co‐acrylic acid)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol) was used as modifying agent to increase the wettability of the surface of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) film. The wettability of the surface of LLDPE film could be increased effectively by spin coating of the amphiphilic graft copolymers onto the surface of LLDPE film. The higher the content of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segments, the lower the water contact angle was. The water contact angle of modified LLDPE films was reduced as low as 25°. However, the adhesion between the amphiphilic graft copolymer and LLDPE film was poor. To solve this problem, the modified LLDPE films coated by the amphiphilic graft copolymers were annealed at 110° for 12 h. During the period of annealing, heating made polymer chain move and rearrange quickly. When the film was cooled down, the alkyl group of higher α‐olefin units and LLDPE began to entangle and crystallize. Driven by crystallization, the PEG segments rearranged and enriched in the interface between the amphiphilic graft copolymer and air. By this surface modification method, the amphiphilic graft copolymer was fixed on the surface of LLDPE film. And the water contact angle was further reduced as low as 14.8°. The experimental results of this article demonstrate the potential pathway to provide an effective and durable anti‐fog LLDPE film. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Influence of support friability and concentration of α‐olefins on gas‐phase ethylene polymerization over polymer‐supported metallocene/methylaluminoxane catalysts

The effects of support friability (Φ) and ethylene/comonomer ratios were investigated over supported metallocene/methylaluminoxane catalysts prepared with nine different porous polymeric supports and various comonomer concentrations with a 2‐L reactor operated in the semibatch gas‐phase mode at 80°C and 1.4 MPa. Φ of the supports was measured with a newly devised method. The performance of the supported catalysts depended on support Φ as follows. The average homopolymerization activities varied from less than 6 t of polyethylene (PE) (mol of Zr)^?1 h^?1 for low‐Φ catalysts to 10–20 t of PE (mol of Zr)^?1 h^?1 for moderate‐Φ catalysts and up to 100 t of PE (mol of Zr)^?1 h^?1 for the high‐Φ catalysts. The presence of 1‐hexene and propylene comonomers increased the activity of the low‐Φ catalysts by up to 20‐fold and 50‐fold, respectively; that is, there were very marked comonomer effects. Activity enhancement by 1‐hexene was less than 3‐fold for the moderate‐Φ catalysts, whereas the high‐Φ catalysts showed little activity enhancement. Sometimes, 1‐hexene even resulted in activity reductions. Very different particle morphologies were obtained with the catalysts of different Φ's. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 514–527, 2007     

Copolymerization of ethylene with unsaturated alcohols and methylmethacrylate using a silylated α‐diimine nickel catalyst: Molecular modeling and photodegradation studies

In this article, the experimental results obtained in the copolymerization of ethylene with polar monomers using a silylated α‐diimine nickel catalyst are described and compared with those obtained with a non‐silylate similar one. The results show that the introduction of a siliyl group in the para‐position of the imine moiety turns the catalyst less sensitive toward polar functionalities. However, the reactivity observed in copolymerization reactions was found to be reduced both the global polymerization and incorporation rates. Molecular modeling calculation allowed us to understand both the preferred insertion mode and the intermediate product structures for E/MMA copolymerization. Photodegradation studies showed that the presence of polar groups in the copolymers increases their rate of oxidation and turn them more easily degradable. The stabilization performed by Tinuvin 770 showed that for long‐exposure times, it is not very effective regardless it is only mixed or grafted to the copolymer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Supplementation with high‐oleic sunflower oil and α‐tocopheryl acetate: Effects on pork meat lipids

The effects of a dietary administration of high‐oleic sunflower oil (O) (about 85% oleic acid) to pigs, either or not in combination with α‐tocopheryl acetate (E), were assessed with regard to the composition of the triacylglycerols, phospholipids and the level of vitamin E in Italian heavy pork meat. Four different diets with the same lysine/calorie ratio (control; 3% O; 250 mg/kg E; 3% O + 250 mg/kg E) were administered to castrated males and intact females until slaughtering (160–170 kg). The lipids of the loin (Longissimus lumborum) were characterized. The administration of the diets rich in O with or without E led to an increase in the content of triacylglycerols containing oleic acid and a decrease of those containing linoleic and saturated acids, both in males and in females. The level of unsaturation of the phospholipid molecular species was less affected than that of the triacylglycerols. However, the content of phosphatidylcholine increased, whereas the content of phosphatidylserine decreased in the meat obtained with the diets O and OE, with respect to the corresponding controls (C and E). The level of free vitamin E doubled.     

Ethylene/α‐olefin copolymerization by nonbridged (cyclopentadienyl)(aryloxy)titanium(IV) dichloride/AliBu3/Ph3CB(C6F5)4 catalyst systems

A series of nonbridged (cyclopentadienyl) (aryloxy)titanium(IV) complexes of the type, (η⁵‐Cp′)(OAr)TiCl₂ [OAr = O‐2,4,6‐^tBu₃C₆H₂ and Cp′ = Me₅C₅ ( 1 ), Me₄PhC₅ ( 2 ), and 1,2‐Ph₂‐4‐MeC₅H₂ ( 3 )], were prepared and used for the copolymerization of ethylene with α‐olefins (e.g., 1‐hexene, 1‐octene, and 1‐octadecene) in presence of AlⁱBu₃ and Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄ (TIBA/B). The effect of the catalyst structure, comonomer, and reaction conditions on the catalytic activity, comonomer incorporation, and molecular weight of the produced copolymers was examined. The substituents on the cyclopentadienyl group of the ligand in 1 – 3 play an important role in the catalytic activity and comonomer incorporation. The 1 /TIBA/B catalyst system exhibits the highest catalytic activity, while the 3 /TIBA/B catalyst system yields copolymers with the highest comonomer incorporation under the same conditions. The reactivity ratio product values are smaller than those by ordinary metallocene type, which indicates that the copolymerization of ethylene with 1‐hexene, 1‐octene, and 1‐octadecene by the 1–3/ TIBA/B catalyst systems does not proceed in a random manner. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Synthesis of branched polyethylene by ethylene homopolymerization with a novel (α‐diimine)nickel complex in the presence of methylaluminoxane

Branched polyethylene (PE) was prepared with a novel (α‐diimine)nickel(II) complex of 2,3‐bis(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)‐butanediimine nickel dichloride {[2,6‐(CH₃)₂C₆H₃? N?C(CH₃)C(CH₃)?N? 2,6‐(CH₃)₂C₆H₃]NiCl₂} activated by methylaluminoxane in the presence of a single ethylene monomer. The influences of various polymerization conditions, including the temperature, Al/Ni molar ratio, Ni catalyst concentration, and time, on the catalytic activity, molecular weight, degree of branching, and branch length of PE were investigated. According to gel permeation chromatography, the weight‐average molecular weights of the polymers obtained ranged from 1.7 × 10⁵ to 6.0 × 10⁵, with narrow molecular weight distributions of 2.0–3.5. The degree of branching in the polymers rapidly increased with the polymerization temperature increasing; this led to highly crystalline to totally amorphous polymers, but it was independent of the Al/Ni molar ratio and catalyst concentration. At polymerization temperatures greater than 20°C, the resultant PE was confirmed by ¹³C‐NMR to contain significant amounts of not only methyl but also ethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, and long branches (longer than six carbons). The formation of the branches could be illustrated by the chain walking mechanism, which controlled their specific spacing and conformational arrangements with one another. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1123–1132, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10398     

Immobilization of a functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) onto β‐cyclodextrin‐coated surfaces by formation of inclusion complexes: Application to the coupling of proteins

The aim of this study was the immobilization of COOH‐modified poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) layers onto β‐cyclodextrin‐coated surfaces by formation of inclusion complexes, in view of biosensors applications. To this end, PEGs with one phenyladamantyl and one carboxylic end group (Ad‐PEG‐COOH) were prepared according to a three‐step procedure. After modification of PEG with 4‐toluenesulfonylchloride, the reaction of the tosyl intermediate with the alcoholate of 4‐(1‐adamantyl)‐phenol was carried out in tetrahydrofuran to avoid the formation of by‐products. Then, it was shown by high performance liquid chromatography that the association between β‐cyclodextrin cavities and Ad‐PEG‐COOH polymers was not hindered by the presence of the COOH group. Last, the Ad‐PEG‐COOH polymer was immobilized onto β‐cyclodextrin‐coated gold surfaces by formation of inclusion complexes. The immobilization was performed in water, at room temperature, with a rapid kinetics. After activation of COOH groups with N‐hydroxysuccinimide, β‐lactoglobulin was coupled to the biocompatible PEG layer. Functionalization of the gold surface with β‐cyclodextrin cavities, immobilization of Ad‐PEG‐COOH onto the surface, and coupling of the protein to the reactive PEG layer were followed in real time by surface plasmon resonance imaging system. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2362–2370, 2006     

Pd-Ag/α-Al2O3催化剂在乙烷裂解配套制乙烯工艺中的选择加氢性能研究

在乙烷裂解配套制乙烯选择加氢的工艺条件下,考察载体焙烧温度、助剂Ag含量、溶液pH值、CO含量及空速对等体积浸渍法制备的Pd-Ag/α-Al₂O₃催化剂性能的影响。结果表明,载体焙烧温度的增加,有助于提高催化剂活性;催化剂Ag含量增加,反应温度变化不大,选择性及抗结焦性能增加;不同溶液pH制备催化剂,选择加氢性能差异不大,但溶液的酸性过高会降低催化剂的抗结焦性能;随着CO的升高,乙炔转化率降低,乙烯选择性先增高后降低,为保证催化剂选择性,原料中的CO最好保持在(700~1 600) μL·L^-1;随着空速的升高,乙炔转化率降低,乙烯选择性增加。