Preparation of nascent disentangled ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene based on Ziegler-Natta catalyst

Lei  Li; Fanmin  Kong; Ang  Xiao; Ziling  Zhang; Hao  Su; Xiaolian  Wu; Yutian  Duan

doi:10.59400/mtr2305

Preparation of nascent disentangled ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene based on Ziegler-Natta catalyst

Lei Li SINOPEC Nanjing Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210048, China; China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Beijing 100728, China; Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Fanmin Kong SINOPEC Nanjing Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210048, China
Ang Xiao SINOPEC Nanjing Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210048, China
Ziling Zhang SINOPEC Nanjing Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210048, China
Hao Su SINOPEC Nanjing Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210048, China
Xiaolian Wu SINOPEC Nanjing Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210048, China
Yutian Duan SINOPEC Nanjing Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210048, China; China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Beijing 100728, China

Article ID: 2305

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59400/mtr2305

Keywords: UHMWPE; Ziegler-Natta catalyst; polymerization; disentanglement

Abstract

Ziegler-Natta (Z-N) catalysts hold great significance in the industrial production of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), given that their outstanding efficacy, profound impact on the molecular weight (MW) of UHMWPE, and extensive industrial applications are highly conspicuous. However, the UHMWPE prepared by Z-N catalyst is usually highly entangled. Considering chain entanglement is essential for altering the processability and mechanical characteristics of nascent UHMWPE, the synthesis of disentangled UHMWPE (dis-UHMWPE) is essential for industrial scalability, therefore holding considerable practical importance. This review summarized recent progress in optimizing Z-N catalysts for the synthesis of dis-UHMWPE, providing a comprehensive overview of research advancements, clarifying polymerization settings, linking polymer structure and activity, and introducing design principles for polymerization techniques. Moreover, the overarching objective is to reveal the principles behind material preparation methods and potentiate the application prospects of UHMWPE materials, therein propelling the advancement of related fields.

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Published

2025-01-17

How to Cite

Li, L., Kong, F., Xiao, A., Zhang, Z., Su, H., Wu, X., & Duan, Y. (2025). Preparation of nascent disentangled ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene based on Ziegler-Natta catalyst. Materials Technology Reports, 3(1), 2305. https://doi.org/10.59400/mtr2305

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