An Efficient In Situ Polymerization Method for the Production of Polyethylene/Clay Nanocomposites: Effect of Polymerization Conditions on Particle Morphology

The effect of polymerization temperature, TIBA concentration, and zirconium loading on clay on the in situ polymerization of ethylene with clay-supported metallocenes is investigated. Polymerization activity, clay exfoliation, and powder morphology are the response parameters. Zirconium loading on clay plays a determining role on polymerization activity and polymer/clay particle morphology, and increasing the polymerization temperature is found to facilitate clay exfoliation. A simpler procedure for in situ polymerization is also described in which the organoclay treated with trimethylaluminum acts as a cocatalyst in the presence of TIBA to obtain polyethylene/clay nanocomposites with acceptable activities and morphologies.