Study on Immobilized Metallocene and Single-Site Catalysts for the Preparation of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene at Various Polymerization Conditions

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) possesses advantages over conventional polyolefins such as excellent mechanical properties. Recent progresses in transition-metal complexes have led to the discovery of highly active catalysts for the preparation of UHMWPE. In this study, Ti with bis(phenoxy-imine) ligand (FI catalyst) and Me₂Si(C₅Me₄)(N-tBu)TiCl₂ (CGC) were immobilized on silica and tested for the preparation of UHMWPE. Results revealed that soluble FI catalyst and CGC can produce polyethylene having relatively high molecular weight above 10⁶ g/mol, which also can be successfully immobilized on carriers for better adaptability to production processes.