Tailoring MWD of Bimodal Polyethylene in the Presence of Ziegler‐Natta Catalyst

Abstract

Summary: Linear poly (ethylene‐co‐1‐butene) was produced through two‐step polymerization in one reactor using a Ziegler‐Natta catalyst, where in the first step, low molecular weight homopolymer of ethylene in the presence of hydrogen and in the next step, high molecular weight copolymer of ethylene with 1‐butene in the absence of hydrogen were produced. Molecular weight distribution of bimodal polyethylene was tailored through adjustment of polymerization time of each stage and hydrogen concentration of the first stage. Increasing hydrogen concentration shifted the molecular weight distribution curve to the lower molecular weights and broadened molecular weight distribution while interestingly increased high molecular weight incorporation of copolymer produced in the second stage due to increasing of reaction rate in the second step. To achieve bimodal molecular weight distribution, the polymerization times of the first and the second steps, which are highly dependent on the amount of hydrogen, were adjusted properly. The effects of the mentioned parameters on the processability as well as rheological properties of some samples were investigated. The rheological results showed shear thinning behavior of all specimens and confirmed the changes in molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. It was also demonstrated that the melt miscibility between low molecular weight and high molecular weight fractions improved with increasing of chains having very low molecular weight.