MODIFIED POLYPROPENES VIA METALLOCENE CATALYSIS

Abstract

The copolymerization of propene with 1-olefins and other comonomers via metallocene catalysis is an important key to polymeric materials with a great variety of properties. The random incorporation of different side chains into the polypropene backbone gives access to a broad spectrum of properties of the polypropene materials ranging from thermoplastics across thermoplastic elastomers to olefin rubber which can be tailored using metallocene catalysts. With a lot of different 1-olefins it is possible to synthesize both copolymers of every desired composition as well as poly-1-olefins. Molecular, thermal, and mechanical properties of propene copolymers are determined by type and amount of the comonomer. The use of metallocene catalysis for the copolymerization of propene and cyclic olefins allows the incorporation of the cyclic olefin without ring opening reactions. This provides the way to a synthesis of copolymers with varying content of the cyclic olefin and interesting material properties. Polypropene graft copolymers used as single materials or acting as compatibilizer in polyolefin blends are very attractive polymeric products. Furthermore, via metallocene catalysis it is possible to synthesize polypropene-graft-polystyrene or poly-propene-graft-polyisobutene. The method of synthesis as well as certain applications of such materials will be the main focus of this report.