Fully tuneable ethylene–propylene elastomers using a supported permethylindenyl-phenoxy (PHENI*) catalyst†
Abstract
Using a highly active supported permethylindenyl-phenoxy (PHENI*) titanium catalyst, high molecular weight ethylene–propylene (EPM) and ethylene–propylene–diene (EPDM) elastomers are prepared using slurry-phase catalysis. Final copolymer composition was found to reflect the monomer feed ratio in a linear fashion, to access a continuum of material properties with a single catalyst. Post-polymerisation crosslinking of EPDM was also demonstrated in a model sulfur vulcanisation system.