Bimodal, Highly Branched
A binuclear nickel catalyst produces polyethylene with a bimodal molecular weight distribution and high branching in a single reactor, combining high tensile strength with elastic recovery for thermoplastic elastomer applications.
Zhang, Qiuyue · Lin, Wenhua · Zhao, Ning · Wang, Yizhou · Ma, Yanping · Solan, Gregory A. · Liang, Tongling · Sun, Wenhua
Macromolecules 2023
Polyethylene exhibits distinctly bimodal molecular weight distribution; ratio of high to low molecular weight components tunable by reaction temperature
Polyethylene is highly branched; branching density strongly affected by catalyst structure and aluminum activator type
Bimodal polyethylene shows superior tensile strength and comparable elastic recovery vs. unimodal material from mononuclear catalyst