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1,3‐butadiene polymerization using Co/Nd‐based Ziegler/Natta catalyst: Microstructures and properties of butadiene rubber
Author(s) -
Chatarsa Chansuree,
Prasassarakich Pattarapan,
Rempel Garry L.,
Hinchiranan Napida
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.23864
Subject(s) - catalysis , cyclohexane , materials science , polymerization , natural rubber , microstructure , natta , vinyl chloride , 1,3 butadiene , polymer chemistry , styrene butadiene , chemical engineering , nuclear chemistry , styrene , organic chemistry , chemistry , composite material , copolymer , polymer , engineering
Among Ziegler‐Natta catalysts used for 1,3‐butadiene (1,3‐BD) polymerization, the advantage of a neodymium (Nd)‐based catalyst is that it provides butadiene rubber (BR) with a high content of cis −1,4 configuration and a low amount of vinyl −1,2 units. Whereas, a cobalt (Co)‐based catalyst can produce BR with a low content of trans −1,4 configuration. Thus, this research was aimed to prepare BR containing a high content of cis −1,4 configuration with low amounts of both trans −1,4 and vinyl −1,2 units using a combination of Nd‐ and Co‐based Ziegler/Natta catalysts with triethyl aluminum (TEAL) and diethyl aluminum chloride (DEAC) acting as a co‐catalyst and a chlorinating agent, respectively. The effects of the molar Co/Nd ratio, TEAL concentration, DEAC loading, 1,3‐BD content, solvent type, and reaction temperature on % conversion, microstructures, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution of the obtained BR (Co/Nd‐BR) were evaluated. The Co/Nd‐BR having >97% of cis −1,4 configuration, <2% of trans −1,4 structure, and <1% of vinyl −1,2 unit with >80% conversion was achieved when 3.01 M of 1,3‐BD concentration was treated in a toluene/cyclohexane mixture (7/3 [w/w]). The Co/Nd‐BR exhibited no gel formation with high mechanical performance, which was equivalent to commercial BR produced from a Nd‐based catalyst system. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:14–21, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers