AUTHOR=Chammingkwan Patchanee , Bando Yusuke , Terano Minoru , Taniike Toshiaki 

TITLE=Nano-Dispersed Ziegler-Natta Catalysts for 1 μm-Sized Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Particles

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2018.00524

DOI=10.3389/fchem.2018.00524

ISSN=2296-2646

ABSTRACT=<p>A catalytic approach to synthesize microfine ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles was proposed based on the exploitation of nano-sized catalysts. By utilizing MgO nanoparticles as a core material, a Ziegler-Natta-type MgO/MgCl<sub>2</sub>/TiCl<sub>4</sub> core-shell catalyst with the particle size in a nano-range scale was prepared in a simple preparation step. The organic modification of MgO surfaces prior to catalyzation prevented agglomeration and facilitated the full dispersion of catalyst particles at a primary particle level for the first time. The nano-dispersed catalysts successfully afforded a direct access to UHMWPE having the particle size in the range of 1–2 μm at a reasonable activity. Extremely fine polymer particles yielded several advantages, especially at a significantly lower fusion temperature in compression molding.</p>