11 - Synthesis of Functional Polyolefin Graft Copolymers

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the development of a versatile method to prepare functional polyolefin graft copolymers having relatively well-defined molecular structures. The chemistry is based on reactive polyolefin copolymers containing comonomer units, such as borane monomers, p-methylstyrene, and divinylbenzene. The reactive co-monomers can be very effectively incorporated into polyolefins, with narrow molecular weight and composition distributions by using metallocene technology. The pendent reactive groups, located along the polyolefin backbone, are very effective in engaging the subsequent graft polymerizations. The chapter presents an example of divinylbenzene that shows good reactivity in many subsequent polymerization mechanisms. This graft technique benefits greatly from the simplicity of its reaction process. Many functional polyolefin graft copolymers have been prepared and reported. Most of the functional polyolefin graft copolymers show good interfacial activities and improved morphology and adhesion between micro-domain structures. Improved mechanical properties of polyolefin blends and composites have also been presented in the chapter.