Synthesis of Disentangled Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene: Influence of Reaction Medium on Material Properties

Table 1

Results of ethylene polymerization with 1/MAO.

Sample	Solvent(s)	Catalyst []	Yield				PDI
PE1	Toluene	2.5	0.24	120
PE2	Toluene	7.5	8.81	1700
PE3	Toluene	15	23.5	2200	1.7	6.0	3.5
PE4	Toluene	30	39.2	1800
PE5	Toluene	40	65	1100
PE6	Heptane	15	12	970	1.4	3.5	2.5
PE7	T/H 25/75	15	15	1200	0.9	3.9	4.3
PE8	T/H 50/50	15	16	1300	1.5	3.0	2
PE9	T/H 60/40	15	30.5	2500
PE10	T/H 75/25	15	30.2	2500	2.2	7.0	3.2
PE11	T/H 80/20	15	28	2300
PE12	T/H 90/10	15	26.5	2100	2.3	7.6	3.3
PE13	Heptane	15	131	1300	1	3.1	3.1
PE14	T/H 75/25	15	283	2900	1.8	6.9	3.8
PE15	Toluene	15	255	2600	1.7	6.2	3.6

(a) Toluene/heptane solvent mixtures are expressed as volume.
(b) Expressed in [hbar].
(c) Data from rheological experiments, in 10⁶ g mol⁻¹.
Other reaction conditions: time: 1 h; temperature: 10°C, , ethylene: 1.1–1.4 bar; PE1–5, solvent amount: 0.5–0.75 l; PE6–12, solvent amount: 0.75–1.0 l; PE13–15, solvent amount: 6 l.