Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene synthesis using externally modified Si-Mg-Ti based Z-N catalyst system

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was synthesized using Bi-supported SiO2/MgCl2 /TiCl4 (Si-Mg-Ti) Ziegler-Natta catalyst in conjugation with triethyl aluminum (TEA). The impact of temperature and the presence of a chain-terminating agent were examined in the context of ethylene polymerization. The findings showed that as temperature decreases, the activity of the polymerization decreases, and the molecular weight of the polymer increases. Conversely, in the presence of a chain-terminating agent, the molecular weight of the polymer decreases. The introduction of triethyl borate (TEB) and tetraethoxy silane (TEOS) as an external donor has a pronounced effect on the catalyst activity, causing a significant decrease, while simultaneously leading to a substantial increase in the viscosity average molecular weight (Mv). Additionally, when a chain-terminating agent is added along with triethyl borate (TEB) in the system, it results in a significant decrease in molecular weight, albeit with a slight increase in activity compared to a system without a donor. The crystallinity, particle size and bulk density of the polymer synthesized with and without external donor have been also investigated.