Morphology control of olefin-based homo and copolymers in catalytic gas-phase, slurry an emulsion polymerization

Resumo

Modern research in Catalysis requires a solid interdisciplinary approach. The development of new polymerization catalysts in special needs the interaction of metallorganic and inorganic chemists, polymer chemists and experts in processing. Not only the design of new catalysts is a challenge but also their application in polymerization processes. Another major task is the development of suitable supports for their immobilization. Such supports have to be designed with binding sites able to strongly retain catalysts in order to avoid leaching. Naturally this aspect addresses and also affects the polymerization behavior such as the kinetics, the incorporation of the catalysts systems in the product, as they are typically not removed. In this project we will develop new types of mainly metallocene and post-metallocene catalysts but also try to crossover to other catalytically active compounds such as for example ROMP systems. All of these systems will be subjected to homogeneous polymerization conditions but also to supported polymerizations and to emulsion polymerizations reactions. The final goal will be the morphologically controlled synthesis of new polyolefin based polymers by catalytic polymerizations. The consortium formed by the MPI in Mainz, the University in Gainesville, the IPF Dresden and the University of Campinas will cover all the required expertise to develop new polyolefin based polymers. While especially the Group of Miller will take care about the synthesis new metallocene and postmetallocene catalysts and Wagener about ROMP catalysis (Gainesville), IPF Dresden (Schuize) will synthesize new polar macromonomers. The Brazilian partner (Pastore) will develop strategies to support catalysts on inorganic materials while Mainz (Mullen) is focusing on organic supports and other morphology controlling methods such as non-aqueous emulsion polymerization. Brazil will also study the interaction of the catalysts with the support. At MPIP fragmentation of the supports and in close contact with Dresden kinetic studies will be performed. (AU)