Compartmentalized polymerization in aqueous and organic media to low-entangled ultra high molecular weight polyethylene

Abstract

Catalytic copolymerization with functional group tolerant lipophilic Ni(II) catalysts in aqueous emulsion-type polymerization or dispersion polymerization in organic solvents (THF, n-heptane) yields ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) as submicron- or micron-sized, respectively, particles. Precise multiblock copolymers with crystallizable C₄₆ polyethylene blocks and amorphous soluble polybutene blocks, as well as a random ethylene-octene copolymer with similar block lengths were suitable for particle stabilization in the organic dispersion polymerizations.