Towards degradable polyethylene: end-functionalised polyethylene (PE-X) and PE-I/LDPE blends from iron-catalysed chain growth of ZnEt2 with ethylene
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
A series of end-functionalised polyethylene materials (PE-X) has been prepared via the catalysed chain growth (CCG) reaction of diethyl zinc with ethylene, catalysed by a bis(imino)pyridine iron catalyst activated by MAO. This CCG catalyst system enables the in situ formation of long alkyl chain zinc species Zn(PE)2, which are subsequently quenched to form PE-X. Quenching with oxygen results in PE-OH, but the functionalisation appears to be limited to approximately 80% due to the formation of mixed [ZnR(OR)]n clusters. Functionalisation with sulfur leads to polysulfides, PE-Sk-PE, whereby k is affected by temperature. Functionalisation with iodine leads to PE-I with high conversion, but the degree of functionalisation appears to be chain length dependant. PE-I has been blended with LDPE, either through solution mixing or via melt blending to give PE-I/LDPE blends with different chain lengths. Characterisation of the PE-I/LDPE blends has been carried by IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis (DSC). Surface analysis by FIB-SEM and EDX analysis up to 6 μm into the surface has shown a uniform distribution of PE-I within the LDPE matrix. The propensity of alkyl iodides to undergo photolytic cleavage makes these PE-I/LDPE materials interesting candidates for degradable PE.
Date Issued
2022-11-01
Date Acceptance
2022-10-27
Citation
Polymer Chemistry, 2022, 13 (46), pp.6377-6385
ISSN
1759-9954
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
6377
End Page
6385
Journal / Book Title
Polymer Chemistry
Volume
13
Issue
46
Copyright Statement
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2022. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000882849800001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=a2bf6146997ec60c407a63945d4e92bb
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Polymer Science
TRANSFER POLYMERIZATION
TERMINATED POLYETHYLENE
ALPHA-OLEFINS
ZINC ALKYLS
SULFUR
BLOCK
POLYOLEFINS
COPOLYMERS
SYSTEMS
METAL
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2022-11-01