Mark Pecak

Abstract

Metallocene catalysts have been increasingly studied by industry and academic groups, and are starting to be applied commercially to produce a variety, among which are ethylene/ 1-alkene copolymers. This study was primarily concerned with ethylene/1 - alkene copolymerizations using dimethylsilyl-bis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-indenyl)zirconium dichloride with methylaluminoxane as cocatalyst. The effect of the 4-phenyl group was shown to greatly increase the polymerization activity of ethylene as well as the copolymerization of ethylene and 1 - hexene copolymers. The reactivity ratios, used to calculate the necessary feed ratios needed to create a copolymer with specific characteristics were also determined. The molecular weights, melting points, and glass transitions of the resulting polymers were examined. The activities of copolymerizations of ethylene and 1 ,4-hexadiene were found to have a diminished activity compared to copolymerizations of ethylene and 1 -hexene.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Polyethylene; Copolymers--Synthesis; Polymerization; Organometallic catalysts

Publication Date

4-1-2003

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

School of Chemistry and Materials Science (COS)

Advisor

Miri, Massoud

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: TP1180.P65 P433 2003

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Download

Share

COinS