Microstructure of isotactic polypropylene obtained using Ziegler–Natta catalyst at high polymerization temperature

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe microstructure of the isotactic polypropylene obtained with various MgCl2‐supported catalyst systems at high polymerization temperature of 70–100°C is investigated by discussing the intrinsic relation between the different types of active centers and the polymerization temperatures via gel permeation chromatography, temperature rising elution fractionation, and 13C NMR. For the MgCl2/TiCl4/di‐n‐butyl phathalate‐AlEt3/external donor and MgCl2/TiCl4/2,2‐diisobutyl‐1,3‐dimethoxypropane‐AlEt3 catalyst systems, the differences in the isotactic productivity of polymers obtained at different polymerization temperatures mainly result from the variation of both the activity of the different isospecific active centers and the stability constants of the complex of catalyst/donor. The reaction rate of high isotactic active centers reaches maximum at 85–90°C, and this effect contributes to both the highest isotacticity and the narrowest molecular weight distribution. For the MgCl2/TiCl4/phthalate ester‐AlEt3 catalyst system, the isotacticity of polypropylene remains approximately constant in the temperature range of experiments, which could be ascribed to elution of phthalate ester after the activation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42487.