Ethylene Copolymerization with Linear and End-Cyclized Olefins via a Metallocene Catalyst:Polymerization Behavior and Thermal Properties of Copolymers

Olefin solution polymerization can be used to obtain high-performance polyolefin materials that cannot be obtained via other polymerization processes.Polyolefin elastomers(POE)are a typical example.Due to cost,only a few linear a-olefins(e.g.,1-butene,1-hexene,and 1-octene)are used as comonomers in solution polymerization in industry.However,a-olefin comonomers with other structures may have different effects on polymerization in comparison with common linear ones.Moreover,the properties of the corresponding materials may differ significantly.In this work,copolymers of ethylene with linear and endcyclized a-olefins are synthesized using a metallocene catalyst.The copolymerization of ethylene with linear a-olefins results in a higher turn-over frequency(TOF)and lower incorporation than copolymerization with end-cyclized a-olefins,which may indicate that end-cyclized a-olefins have a higher coordination probability and lower insertion rate.In this reaction,the comonomer is distributed randomly in the polymer chain and efficiently destroys crystallization.End-cyclized a-olefins exhibit a much stronger crystallization destructive capacity(CDC)in the copolymer than linear a-olefins,possibly because linear a-olefins act mainly in the radial direction of the main chain of the polymer,while end-cyclized a-olefins act mainly in the axial direction of the main chain.

STUDIES ON MICELLE BEHAVIORS OF STYRENE-BUTADIENE-STYRENE (SBS) TRIBLOCK COPOLYMERS IN METHYL ETHYL KETONE (MEK) BY POSITRON ANNIHILATION TECHNIQUE

Positron annihilation technique was used to study the micelle behaviors of two SBS triblock copolymers in MEK solvent at different temperatures. Annihilation lifetime τ_3 of ortho-positronium (o-Ps) exhibited an obvious transition from shorter lifetime to longer lifetime with temperature. It was attributed to the change of micelle behavior of SBS copolymer molecules in the solution. Experimental results of sedimentation velocity of ultracentrifuge were also reported.

STUDY ON STYRENE-BUTADIENE BLOCK COPOLYMER FOR THE MODIFICATI0N OF TIRE TREAD

This paper mainly deals with the design and synthesis of a novel styrene-butadieneblock copolymer. When this copolymer is used in the tread portion of tyres, it can improvewet skid resistance and reduce rolling resistance without sacrificing its general physical-mechanical properties. The visco-elastic curve of tire tread using the novel copolymer asits rubber portion was showed. Reactivity ratios for two monomers in the polymerizingsystem were calculated. The diagrams of differelitial, integral and finite difference calculithroughout the whole molecular chain were presented. The influence of the micro- andmacro-structure of the copolymer chain on wet skid resistance and rolling resistance wasdiscussed

Thermal Stability Improvement and Structural Change of Oil Gels Formed by Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene Triblock Copolymer Induced by Adding Poly(phenylene ether)

The thermal stability of oil gels formed by styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer (SBS) was improved by adding a small amount of poly(phenylene ether) (PPE), which has a higher glass transition temperature (Tg). In naphthenic oil which is a good solvent for the butadiene blocks, but a non-solvent for the styrene blocks and PPE, PPE was selectively included into styrene blocks in SBS, and induced the increase of the Tg of these blocks. The melting temperature determined by viscoelastic measurements and softening temperature of the gels were elevated by adding PPE, while no significant change was detected by adding polystyrene. The gel became opaque by adding PPE, and partially separated phases were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The dependence of the viscoelastic behavior on the PPE concentration can be explained by the structural change observed by FE-SEM.

Preparation and properties of RE^(3+) doped luminescent co-polymer by solution copolymerization

Bonded type RE3+ doped luminescent co-polymer was synthesized by solution free radical copolymerization. The influence of charge sequence, monomers and co-polymerized method on properties and structures of the co-polymers was studied. The emission intensity of the co-polymers at different RE3+ concentrations was tested. The results showed that the co-polymers of Eu-PSt and Eu-PMMA both had wide absorption peak at 200-400 nm and the strongest peak appeared at 235 nm. The fluorescent intensity of Eu3+ doped polystyrene co-polymer was stronger than that of Eu3+ doped PMMA copolymer. The characteristic emission of europium ions was observed in the co-polymers. The copolymer doped with rare earth elements showed the 'sensitization effect' for the central ions. The bonded-type rare earth copolymer not only enhanced the energy transfer efficiency, but also improved the fluorescence intensity by increasing the rigidity of main and side chain.

Monomer reactivity ratios for fluoroacrylate and butyl methacrylate in miniemulsion copolymerizations initiated by potassium persulphate

Miniemulsion copolymerization of butyl mathacrylate （BMA） with fluoroacrylate （HFMA, TFMA） was carried out at 70 ℃ by employing potassium persulphate （KPS） as initiator. Copolymer compositions at low conversion levels were determined by ^1H NMR spectra techniques. The reactivity ratios were evaluated by employing Kellen-Tudos （K-T） methods, which yields the apparent reactivity ratios, rBMA = 0.74, rHFMA = 0.87 and rBMA = 0.73, rTFMA = 0.75, respectively, and Q- and e-values of HFMA and TFMA were calculated by the Alfrey-Price method. The results show that HFMA and TFMA are more active than BMA, and the cross-propagation rate constant is greater than the self-propagation one in these two copolymerizations.

GRAFT COPOLYMERIZATION OF VINYL MONOMERS ONTO STARCH INITIATED BY TRANSITION METAL-THIOUREA REDOX SYSTEMS

In this paper, the capabilities of grafting acrylonitrile (AN) onto starch initiated by Fe(III)-TU, V(V)-TU, Cr(VI)-TU, Mn(VII)-TU redox systems were compared in the presence of sulfuric acid of different concentrations. It was shown that the grafting capability of Mn(VII)-TU is the highest in these initiating systems. Using Mn (VII-TU as initiator, the effects of various acids (HClO4, H2SO4, HNO3, HCl) on the graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto starch were discussed, and the capabilities of graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA) onto starch were investigated. The experimental results show that the order of the influences of different acids is HClO4 > H2SO4 > HNO3 > HCl, and the order of grafting capabilities of different monomers grafted onto starch is MMA > AN > AM > AA. The structure and morphology of graft, copolymers were studied with infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The size, shape and roughness of surface of the grafted starch granules are changed after grafting.

INFLUENCE OF DIALKYLZINC IN RARE-EARTH TERNARY CATALYST ONTHE COPOLYMERIZATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE AND PROPYLENE OXIDE

Rare-earth ternary catalysts Y（CCl3COO）3-ZnR2-glycerin were prepared for the copolymerization of carbon dioxide and propylene oxide （PO）, where dialkylzincs （ZnR2） were diethylzinc, di（n-propyl）zinc, di（n-butyl）zinc, di（i-propyl）zinc, di（i-butyl）zinc, di（s-butyl）zinc,respectively. The Y（CCl3COO）3-ZnR2-glycerin catalysts displayed the highest catalytic activity at the molar ratio of Y（CCl3COO）3：ZnR2：glycerin = 1：20：10. In the same copolymerization condition, catalysts containing dialkylzincs with branched alkyl group showed lower catalytic activity than that with primary alkyl group. For those catalysts including dialkylzincs with primary alkyl group, their catalytic activity decreases with increasing number of carbon atom in the alkyl group with the following sequence： Y（CCl3COO）3-ZnEt2-glycerin 〉 Y（CCl3COO）3-Zn（n- Pr）2-glycerin〉Y（CCl3COO）3-Zn（n-Bu）2-glycerin. However, the alkyl group in the dialkylzinc does not influence the insertion of PO into the propagation chain end.

CATALYTIC COPOLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE AND ETHYLENE BY NEUTRAL NICKEL(Ⅱ) COMPLEXES IN EMULSION

Emulsion copolymerization of styrene and ethylene catalyzed by a series of neutral nickel(Ⅱ) complexes was carried out in an aqueous system to give high-molecular-weight copolymers.The copolymers and emulsions were characterized by an array of techniques including NMR,GPC,TEM,WAXD and DSC.The results indicate that the copolymers obtained are mostly block copolymers of polyethylene with random insertion of styrene units,and their M_W is in the range of 10~5-10~6.By enhancing the electron withdrawing of the s...

Copolymerization of Styrene with N-phenylmaleimide by Rare Earth Coordination Catalysts

Copolymerization of styrene (St) with N-phenylmaleimide (NPMI) was studied with rare earth coordination catalyst Nd(naph)3-AlEt3 in toluene. Characterization of the copolymers showed that the copolymers possess an alternating structure.

Thermosensitive Particles with Unusual Morphology Prepared by Dispersion Copolymerization

The monodispersed polymeric particles with an unusual structure were prepared by the dispersion copolymerization of acrylonitrile/styrene（AN/St） in mixed solvents of ethanol/water by using the poly（N-isopropylacrylamide） （PNIPAAm） macromonomer as a reaction stabilizer. It was found that the AN monomer plays a key role in the formation of the particles with special morphology analyzed via scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The reaction parameters have remarkable influences on the particle size and morphology. The particles possess a thermosensitive property according to the result of laser light scattering（LLS）.

i-PP/EPR REACTOR ALLOY PREPARED THROUGH ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE SLURRY COPOLYMERIZATION CATALYZED BY METALLOCENE SUPPORTED iPP PARTICLES

i-PP/m-EPR reactor alloy were prepared through ethylene/propylene slurry copolymerization catalyzed by metallocene(rac-Et(Ind)_2ZrCl_2)supported on porous iPP particles.Polar monomer(dihydromyrcene alcohol)treated with triethyaluminum was added in the preparation of porous iPP particles to introduce hydroxyl groups and thus enhance the ability for chemically supporting the metallocene catalyst.The effects of MAO/Zr ratio and monomer composition in feed on the reaction activity and property of polymer were i...

MODIFICATION OF SILK FIBER via EMULSION GRAFT COPOLYMERIZATION WITH FLUOROACRYLATE

2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-Octafluoropentyl acrylate was grafted onto silk fiber in a two-step heterogeneous system through the vinyl bonds of acryloyloxyethyl isocyanate modified on the silk.The grafted copolylner was analyzed by FTIR and WAXD,and the results revealed that the fluoroacrylate was successfully grafted onto silk fiber and the crystalline structure of silk fibroin withβ-sheet structure was not changed after graft copolymerization.The FT-IR corrected method was used to simulate the grafting yield onto sil...

IN SITU MONITORING OF COORDINATION COPOLYMERIZATION OF BUTADIENE AND ISOPRENE VIA ATR-FTIR SPECTROSCOPY

FTIR spectroscopy in combination with a diamond tipped attenuated total reflectance （ATR） immersion probe was utilized to study in situ the copolymerization of butadiene （Bd） and isoprene （Ip） with neodymium-based catalyst in hexane. The relationship between the signal intensity of monomer and its concentration was investigated. The kinetic study of copolymerization of Bd and Ip was further conducted, and the monomer reactivity ratios were determined via in situ ATR FTIR. The signal band at 1010 cm^-1 was assigned to wagging vibration of Bd and its intensity was proportional to Bd concentration （[Bd]） in the range of 0.46-3.88 mol.L^-1. The signal bands at 890 and 989 cm^-1 were assigned to wagging vibration of Ip and the signal intensity was also proportional to Ip concentration （[Ip]） in the range of 0.08-4.73 mol·L^-1 at 890 cm^-1 and 0.08-7.49 mol·L^-1 at 989 cm^-1, respectively. Thus the signal band at 1010 cm^-1 was chosen to monitor Bd concentration and bands at 989 and 890 cm^-1 to monitor Ip concentration during the copolymerization, respectively. It was demonstrated that the conversions of Bd and Ip calculated from FTIR data agreed very well with those obtained gravimetrically. The poiymerization rates were first order with respect to both [Bd] and [Ip], respectively at different polymerization temperatures. The apparent propagation activation energy for Bd and Ip could be determined to be 54.4 kJ·mol^-1 and 57.7 kJ·mol^-1, respectively. The monomer reactivity ratios were calculated to be 1.08 for Bd （rBd） and 0.48 for IP （rIp） based on FTIR data. The Bd-Ip copolymer products with random sequence could be obtained with only one glass transition temperature.

Research on the Graft Copolymerization of EH-lignin with acrylamide

Lignin isolated from enzymatic hydrolyzed corn-stalks (EH-lignin) is a renewable natural polymer noted for its versatility and applicability in a vari-ety of uses. Graft copolymerization of EH-lignin with acrylamide (AM) and the application of this copolymer as a flocculant in dye wastewater treatment were studied in this article. The influ-ences of some factors on yield of copolymer and the grafting ratio were investigated and the structure of EH-lignin/AM graft copolymer was characterized by FT-IR. According to the yield and the grafting ratio, the optimum conditions for graft copolymerization were as follows: initiator K2S2O8-Na2S2O3 with a quantity 3 wt% of EH-lignin, mass ratio of AM to EH-lignin was 2~3, reaction time 4h and temperature at 50℃. It was found that the absorption capacity of graft copolymer to two azo-dyes was enhanced with the increase of grafting ratio. Furthermore, the residue concen-tration of EH-lignin/AM graft copolymer remained in the supernatant after flocculation was much lower than that of pure EH-lignin.

Research on poly(styrene-acrylic acid)-supported neodymium complex in catalytic copolymerization of styrene and 4-vinylpyridine

The catalytic activity of poly（styrene-acrylic acid） （PSAA） supported neodymium chloride （NdCl3） complex for the copolymerization of styrene and 4-Vinylpyridine was studied. The influence of various factors, such as Al/Nd molar ratio, reaction time, macromolecular carder （PSAA）, and ratio of styrene to 4-vinypyridine （g/g）, on the copolymerization yield of styrene and 4-Vinylpyridine was investigated. The results showed that the copolymerization of polar monomers with olefins occurred efficiently and the catalytic activity of polymer-supported catalyst was higher than that of the similar small molecular catalysts. The activity of PSAA.Nd complex increased with in- creasing Al/Nd molar ratios and decreased with increasing polymerization time. The highest activity of PSAA＇Nd was observed at 120 min, and the highest yield was found at the ratio of styrene to 4-vinylpyridine of 4：2. DSC analysis presented that the resulted polymer had only one glass transition temperature, and showed very good thermal stability.

Studies on Graft Copolymerization of Acrylic Acid onto Ramie Fibers with Chromic Acid Initiation System

The graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) with unswollen and swollen ramie fibers using chromic acid (H 2CrO 4) as the initiator has been studied in the presence of air. The effects of initiator concentration, monomer concentration, perchloric acid (HClO 4) concentration, time of polymerization, reaction temperature, and amount of ramie fibers on the graft percentage have been found out. The graft copolymer was characterized by IR spectra, scanning electron microscopy(SEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and thermogravimertric analysis (TGA).

COPOLYMERIZATION OF PROPYLENE WITH HINDERED PIPERIDINE MONOMER OVER A HIGH ACTIVITY SUPPORTED ZIEGLER-NATTA CATALYST

Copolymerization of propylene and hindered piperidine monomers was carried out over a high activity supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst, using Al(C2H5)(3) as cocatalyst. Factors which affect the copolymerization were studied, The copolymers exhibited high light stability without adding extra light stabilizers. A self-stabilized polypropylene was prepared.

RING OPENING COPOLYMERIZATION OF SUCCINIC ANHYDRIDE-ETHYLENE OXIDE BY Al(Ⅲ) ORGANOMETALLIC CATALYSTS

Ring opening copolymerization of succinic anhydride (SA) with ethylene oxide (EO)was successfully carried out by using a series of aluminum-based catalyst in 1,4-dioxane at62±2℃. The results showed that in-situ AlR_3-H_2O (R=ethyl, iso-butyl) catalysts gavehigher molecular weight (M_w～10~4), while Al(OR)_3 catalysts gave the higher alternatingcopolymer structure with slightly lower molecular weight. The in-situ AlR_3-H_2O systemshave been evaluated in more detail for the reaction which showed the optimum H_2O/Almolar ratio to be 0.5. The copolymers with different composition (F_(SA)/F_(EO)= 36/64to 45/55 mol/mol) were synthesized by using different monomer feed ratio. The melt-ing point (T_m), glass transition temperature (T_g) and enthalpy of fusion (ΔH_f) of thesecopolymers are depended on the copolymer composition and in the range of 87～102℃,-12～-18℃, and 37～66J/g, respectively. The second heating scan of DSC also in-dicated that the higher alternating copolymer was more easily recrystallized. The onsetdecomposition temperature was more than 300℃ under nitrogen and influenced by thecopolymer composition.