Modelling the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene in solution with a neodymium catalyst

The batch polymerization of butadiene in hexane with an in-situ-activated Ziegler-Catalyst containing neodymium versatate, ethylaluminium sesquichloride and triisobutylaluminium was studied at 45°C. The rate of polymerization was determined by online density measurements. A mathematical model has been developed which is able to describe the kinetics of polymerization at different catalyst ratios. At molar ratios of aluminium/neodymium above 40 a bimodal molar mass distribution can be observed by gel permeation chromatography which leads to the assumption of more than one active species being present in the polymerization system.