Confined polymerization: catalyzed synthesis of high Tm, nanofibrous polyethylene within porous polymer microspheres†
Abstract
Crystalline nanofibers of linear polyethylene were formed through ethylene confined polymerization with porous polymer microsphere-supported titanocene. Polyethylene nanofibers (<70 nm) aggregated to form intertwined thicker fibers (300 nm to 22 μm). The obtained PE has high Mw and Tm. Interestingly, the high Tm (142.4 °C) was maintained in the second stage of heating.