Direct synthesis of fibrous high molecular weight polyethylene using vanadium catalysts supported on an SiO2 ionic liquid system

Polyethylene of fibrous morphology was obtained using Cp2VCl2 and VCl2(salenCl2) catalysts activated by AlEt2Cl and AlEtCl2 and heterogenized on a supported ionic liquid system prepared with SiO2 and 1-(3-triethoxysilyl)propyl-3-methylimidazolium chloroaluminate. The fibre length ranges from 15 to 60 µm, depending on the reaction conditions. The polyethylene is characterized by a high molecular weight ((1.1–2.4) × 106 g mol−1) and a narrow molecular weight distribution (1.4–2.5). It is a linear polymer, properly without branching. The DSC method reveals characteristic changes in melting temperature and crystallinity degree between the first and second scan heating cycles (141 °C and 136 °C, 71% and 46%, respectively). The wide angle X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy methods give crystallinity degree values of 40% and 41%–51%. The influence of type of catalyst precursor, alkylaluminium activator, catalyst/activator molar ratio, reaction time and temperature is discussed. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry

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