Combining polyethylene and polypropylene: Enhanced performance with PE/ i PP multiblock polymers | Zendy

James M. Eagan | Zendy; Jun Xu | Zendy; Rocco Di Girolamo | Zendy; Christopher M. Thurber | Zendy; Christopher W. Macosko | Zendy; Anne M. LaPointe | Zendy; Frank S. Bates | Zendy; Geoffrey W. Coates | Zendy

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Combining polyethylene and polypropylene: Enhanced performance with PE/ i PP multiblock polymers

Author(s) -

James M. Eagan,

Jun Xu,

Rocco Di Girolamo,

Christopher M. Thurber,

Christopher W. Macosko,

Anne M. LaPointe,

Frank S. Bates,

Geoffrey W. Coates

Publication year - 2017

Publication title -

science

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 12.556

H-Index - 1186

eISSN - 1095-9203

pISSN - 0036-8075

DOI - 10.1126/science.aah5744

Subject(s) - copolymer , compatibilization , polypropylene , polyethylene , materials science , tacticity , polymer , polymerization , polymer chemistry , polymer science , polymer blend , composite material , brittleness

Polyethylene (PE) and isotactic polypropylene ( i PP) constitute nearly two-thirds of the world's plastic. Despite their similar hydrocarbon makeup, the polymers are immiscible with one another. Thus, common grades of PE and i PP do not adhere or blend, creating challenges for recycling these materials. We synthesized PE/ i PP multiblock copolymers using an isoselective alkene polymerization initiator. These polymers can weld common grades of commercial PE and i PP together, depending on the molecular weights and architecture of the block copolymers. Interfacial compatibilization of phase-separated PE and i PP with tetrablock copolymers enables morphological control, transforming brittle materials into mechanically tough blends.

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