The effect of supported and unsupported phenoxy-imine catalysts on catalytic activities and polyolefin characteristics for homo- and co-polymerization of ethylene and ɑ-olefin

Abstract

This research focused on supported and unsupported two phenoxy-imine catalyst synthesis and studied in the effects of phenoxy-imine (FI) catalyst on catalytic activity and polymer properties for homo- and co-polymerization of ethylene and alpha-olefin. Two synthesized phenoxy-imine catalysts were the phenoxy-imine catalyst having cycloalkyl substituent (complex 1) and the phenoxy-imine catalyst containing halogen substituent (complex 2). In the evaluation of both catalyst efficiency for homo- and co-polymerization, it was found that both catalysts showed highly catalytic activity for polyethylene production. In addition, complex 2 can produce polyethylene having higher molecular weight (> 2 times) than that produced by complex 1. However, complex 2 can produce copolymer of ethylene/1-hexene and ethylene/1-octene having higher comonomer incorporation than that obtained by complex 1 synthesizing copolymer of ethylene/1-hexene and ethylene/1-octene being capable of the small amount of comonomer incorporation. Based on the performance test of both catalysts immobilized on magnesium dichloride and silica for ethylene polymerization, it was found that both supported catalysts can synthesize polyethylene with good morphology. Both catalysts immobilized on magnesium dichloride exhibited higher catalytic activity than those immobilized on silica because of electronic interaction between hetero atom in phenoxy-imine catalyst with magnesium dichloride.