A Comprehensive Review on Controlled Synthesis of Long-Chain-Branched Polyolefins: Part 2, Multiple Catalyst Systems and Prepolymer Modification

Recent Advances in Controlled Production of Long-Chain Branched Polyolefins

Polyolefins, composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms, dominate global polymer production. This stems from the wide range of physical and mechanical properties that various polyolefins can cover. Their versatile properties are largely tuned by chain microstructure, including molar mass distribution, comonomer content, and long-chain branching (LCB). Specifically, LCB imparts unique characteristics, notably enhances processability crucial for downstream applications. Tailoring LCB structural features has encouraged academic and industrial efforts, chronicle in this review from a chemistry standpoint. While encompassing post-reaction modification based traditional methods like peroxide grafting, ionizing beam irradiation, and coupling reactions, the main focus is given to catalyst-centric strategies and innovative polymerization schemes. The advent of single-site catalysts-metallocenes and late transition metals catalysts-amplifies interest in tailored chemical methods, but the progress in LCB formation flourishes via tandem catalytic systems and bimetallic catalysts under controlled reaction conditions. Specifically, the breakthrough in coordinative chain transfer polymerization unveils a novel avenue for controlled LCB synthesis by sequential chain propagation, transfer, liberation, and enchainment. This short review highlights recent approaches for the production of LCB polyolefins that can provide a roadmap crucial for researchers in academia and industry, steering their efforts toward further advancements in the production of tailored polyolefin.

Compatibilization of iPP/HDPE Blends with PE-g-iPP Graft Copolymers

The compatibilization of polyethylene (PE) and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) blends is of particular interest due to the challenges associated with recycling these plastics from mixed waste streams. Polyethylene-graft-iPP copolymers (PE-g-iPP) were prepared using a grafting-through strategy by copolymerization of ethylene with allyl-terminated iPP macromonomers in the presence of a hafnium pyridylamido catalyst. Graft copolymers with a variety of graft lengths (M_n = 6-28 kg/mol), graft numbers, and graft spacings were prepared. These graft copolymers were melt-blended with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and iPP (iPP/HDPE = 30/70 w/w), and the blend properties were evaluated by tensile testing. The blends showed enhanced tensile strength at 5 and 1 wt % loading, with higher tensile strength observed for larger block numbers and graft lengths. These results indicate that graft copolymers are efficient compatibilizers for blends of HDPE and iPP.

100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Polymers from Lignocellulosic Biomass. Current Challenges and Future Opportunities

Sustainable polymers from lignocellulosic biomass have the potential to reduce the environmental impact of commercial plastics while also offering significant performance and cost benefits relative to petrochemical-derived macromolecules. However, most currently available biobased polymers are hampered by insufficient thermomechanical properties, low economic feasibility (e.g., high relative cost), and reduced scalability in comparison to petroleum-based incumbents. Future biobased materials must overcome these limitations to be competitive in the marketplace. Additionally, sustainability challenges at the beginning and end of the polymer lifecycle need to be addressed using green chemistry practices and improved end-of-life waste management strategies. This viewpoint provides an overview of recent developments that can mitigate many concerns with present materials and discusses key aspects of next-generation, biobased polymers derived from lignocellulosic biomass.

Advances in Mathematical Modeling of Gas-Phase Olefin Polymerization

Mathematical modeling of olefin polymerization processes has advanced significantly, driven by factors such as the need for higher-quality end products and more environmentally-friendly processes. The modeling studies have had a wide scope, from reactant and catalyst characterization and polymer synthesis to model validation with plant data. This article reviews mathematical models developed for olefin polymerization processes. Coordination and free-radical mechanisms occurring in different types of reactors, such as fluidized bed reactor (FBR), horizontal-stirred-bed reactor (HSBR), vertical-stirred-bed reactor (VSBR), and tubular reactor are reviewed. A guideline for the development of mathematical models of gas-phase olefin polymerization processes is presented.

Highly branched unsaturated polyethylenes achievable using strained imino-cyclopenta[b]pyridyl-nickel precatalysts

Highly branched and unsaturated PEs with narrow PDIs have been obtained using nickel catalysts that display high activities, rapid regeneration of active species and high rates of chain isomerization.