Macromolecules, Vol.31, No.20, 6908-6916, 1998
Elastomeric polypropylenes from unbridged (2-phenylindene)zirconocene catalysts : Thermal characterization and mechanical properties
The properties of three elastomeric stereoblock polypropylene (PP) samples made with unbridged 2-phenylindene zirconocene catalysts were investigated. One of the characteristics of these catalysts is the ability to control the structure and properties of the polypropylenes by manipulation of the reaction conditions. Samples PP1 and PP2 were prepared to have similar tacticities las indicated by IR and NMR spectroscopy) yet different molecular weights. The molecular weight of PP2 is approximately half the molecular weight of PP1. Sample PP3 has a molecular weight similar that of PP2 but is lower in isotactic pentad content. All three samples were separated into fractions that differ in their solubilities in boiling ether and heptane. The fractionation appeared to be governed by tacticity and molecular weight. Thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry showed very broad melting endotherms. The broadness of the transitions and the relatively large standard deviations calculated for the enthalpy of fusion are indicative of a multiphase material. X-ray powder diffraction patterns of the three samples and their fr-actions (except the ether-soluble fractions) all showed characteristic peaks of the a crystalline phase. The heptane-insoluble fractions of both PP1 and PP2 also exhibited gamma-phase reflection, whereas in the heptane-soluble fractions, that reflection is less evident. Tensile tests performed on PP1 and PP2 yielded a similar tensile modulus for the two, indicating similar degrees of crystallinity. PP1 exhibited better recovery properties, as measured in tests at 100% and 300% elongation.
Keywords:NMR CHEMICAL-SHIFTS, GROUP-IVB CATALYSTS, ISOTACTICPOLYPROPYLENE, METALLOCENE CATALYSTS, PROPAGATION MECHANISM;MOLECULAR-WEIGHT, POLYMERIZATION, POLY(PROPYLENE), PROPYLENE;CRYSTALLIZATION