Ethylene polymerization with hybrid nickel α-diimine/Cp2TiCl2/MgCl2 catalyst to prepare blends of linear and branched polyethylene

Different combinations of metallocene and late transition metal (LTM) catalysts are used in hybrid and mixed states in ethylene polymerization to tailor polyethylenes with new properties. A mixture of Ni-based LTM and Cp2TiCl2 is added to MgCl2 support to obtain hybrid catalyst. A synergistic effect is observed for activity of the hybrid LTM/metallocene catalyst. Blends of linear and highly branched polyethylene are obtained when ethylene is polymerized at low temperatures (30°C), while blends of linear and low branched polyethylene are obtained at higher temperature (50°C). By changing reaction parameters like, LTM/metallocene ratio in hybrid catalyst, and polymerization temperature, versatile polymer thermal behavior are obtained

Keywords:

Hybrid catalyst , linear and branched polyethylene blends , MgCl2