Synthesis and Characterization of in situ Polyethylene and Polypropylene Nanocomposites: Gas Phase Polymerization by Nanosilica Supported bis (Cyclopentadienyl) Zirconium (IV) Dichloride Catalyst System

In the present work, in situ polyethylene and polypropylene nanocomposites have been successfully synthesized by gas phase polymerization of ethylene and propylene in presence of surface treated nanofillers with nanosilica-supported-bis (cyclopentadienyl) zirconium (IV) dichloride as a coordination catalyst. The nanofillers used are Cloisite-20A and nanosilica, respectively. These were pre-treated with MAO (Methylaluminoxane) to inhibit their deactivating action on the catalyst because of the presence of either acidic or basic groups on their surfaces; in this way MAO acts as a co-catalyst for the polymerization reactions being discussed. Two in situ Polyethylene (PE) i.e., CFPE and SFPE (Cloisite-20A filled polyethylene and nanosilica filled polyethylene) and two in situ polypropylene (PP) i.e., CFPP and SFPP (Cloisite-20A filled polypropylene and nanosilica filled polypropylene) nanocomposites have been prepared by gas-phase polymerization. The in situ polyethylene and polypropylene nanocomposites were characterized using Fourier transform infrared Spectroscope (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). By our approach, it has been observed that the nanofillers are completely encapsulated by a thin layer of polymer chains.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]