Polyolefin-nanocomposites with special properties by <i>in-situ </i>polymerization

doi:10.1007/s11705-018-1715-x

Front. Chem. Sci. Eng.

2018, Vol. 12

Issue (3) : 555-563 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-018-1715-x

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Polyolefin-nanocomposites with special properties by in-situ polymerization

Walter Kaminsky(

)

Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany

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Abstract

Exceptionally strong polyolefin nanocomposites are synthesized by in-situ polymerization using soluble metallocene/methylaluminoxane (MAO) as catalysts in a two-step process. First, the soluble metallocene/MAO or other single site catalysts are absorbed on the surface of the nanofillers. Then by addition of ethene or propene, a polyolefin film is formed, covering the nanoparticles, layered silicates, or fibers. The resulting polyethylene and polypropylene nanocomposites are characterized by better physical and chemical properties such as stiffness, gas barrier properties, degradation temperatures, and crystallization rates. They show better mechanical properties than materials produced by mechanical blending. The thickness of the polyolefin can be controlled by the pressure of ethene or propene and by the polymerization time. Carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes are covered with isotactic or syndiotactic polypropylene. Because of the hydrophobic character of the carbon surface, the polymer is drawn on the fiber. This leads to a reinforced combined polymer with special properties. The crystallization temperature is 10 °C higher and therefore the crystallization rate up to 20 times faster than that of pure syndiotactic polypropylene. The form stability increases by 100% if 3 wt-% of carbon nanotubes are incorporated.

Keywords polyolefin nanocomposites metallocenes methylaluminoxane

Corresponding Author(s): Walter Kaminsky

Just Accepted Date: 02 March 2018 Online First Date: 15 August 2018 Issue Date: 18 September 2018

Cite this article:

Walter Kaminsky. Polyolefin-nanocomposites with special properties by in-situ polymerization[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2018, 12(3): 555-563.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/10.1007/s11705-018-1715-x
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/Y2018/V12/I3/555

Fig.1 Unit structures of methylaluminoxane (MAO)

Fig.2 Zirconocenes with different symmetries suitable for the polymerization of olefins

Fig.3 Microstructures of polypropylenes obtained by various metallocene catalysts (hydrogen atoms of the backbone chain are not shown)

Fig.4 Reaction of methylaluminoxane (MAO) on the surface of nano-silica

Tab.1 Synthesis of sPP/M200 nanocomposites, average activity and polymer properties of sPP in relation to the polymerization temperature, propene concentration and catalyst amount

Fig.5 SEM micrograph of a composite of silica spheres (200 nm diameter) in a syndiotactic polypropylene matrix

Fig.6 Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrograph of sPP/CNF composite material. The CNF has a diameter of 100 nm

Fig.7 TEM micrograph of a MWCNT/iPP composite with a filler content of 1.6 wt-%

Fig.8 TEM micrographs of a MWCNT/iPP composite prepared by in-situ polymerization (left), and its top by higher resolution (right)

Fig.9 Rate constant of crystallization in dependence of the crystallization temperature for different syndiotactic PP composite materials

Tab.2 Properties of iPP/MWCNT composite materials such as molecular weight, melting temperature, and temperature of form stability in dependence of the amount of MWCNT as filler^a)

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