TITLE:
Metallocene Catalyzed Homopolymerization of Propylene with a C2 Symmetric Isospecific Zirconecene/MMAO Catalysts under Different Polymerization Conditions
AUTHORS:
Benard Oloo Nyangoye, Benard Odhiambo Obondo
KEYWORDS:
Homo-Polymerization, Activity, Molecular Weight, Molecular Weight Distribution (MWD)
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Organic Polymer Materials,
Vol.10 No.3,
July
31,
2020
ABSTRACT: In this
work, homopolymerization of propylene for synthesis of different molecular
weights polypropylene was done using an isospecific metallocene catalyst by
changing the polymerization conditions such as Al/Zr (Aluminium/Zirconium)
ratio, temperature, pressure and polymerization time. The effects of the
polymerization conditions on the molecular weight and other polymer properties
have been discussed according to the results obtained. The results indicate
that the activity of polymerization increased with increasing the Al/Zr mole
ratio and reached a maximum value at a ratio of 2000. In relation to the mole
ratio, the molecular weight also followed the same trend. The activity was also
seen to increase with increase in temperature. The molecular weight increased
with increasing the polymerization time at both 0°C and 25°C, but reduced with increase in time at 40°C. The increase of pressure also increased activity but lowered the
molecular weight, indicating β-H elimination to the monomer.