Polyethylene reactor alloys are synthesized through heterogeneous ethylene polymerization with a new type of Ziegler-Natta (ZN)/late transition metal (LTM) hybrid catalyst. The effect of various parameters including catalyst composition (LTM/ZN ¼ 0.01, 0.02, 0.04), polymerization temperature (TP ¼ 30, 30-60, 60 8C) and loading temperature (TL ¼ 30, 60 8C) on catalyst activity, chain's vinyl content, viscosity average molecular weight (M v ) and thermal properties are investigated. Two distinct melting peaks were observed in the ranges of 110-140 8C and 60-90 8C, indicating presence of two different lamellar structures. LTM/ZN ratio shifted melting peaks toward lower values. Rheological properties confirmed homogeneity of polymer blend's microstructure as they follow time temperature superposition.Macromol. React. Eng. 2015, 9, 8-18 wileyonlinelibrary.com
PolymerizationCatalyst component handling and polymerization procedures were carried out as previously described. [47] Polymerization reactions were performed in a 150 ml steel reactor equipped with controlling Scheme 1. Structure of late transition metal catalyst.