Work

Synthesis of HDPE ‐ b ‐ i PP Diblock Copolymers via Subsequent Coordintive Chain‐Transfer Polymerization and Their Use as Compatibilizers for HDPE / i PP Blends

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT An envisioned circular economy of commonly used polymers, high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and isotactic polypropylene ( i PP), is challenging due to their immiscibility with almost all other plastics. Therefore, highly effective compatibilizers and synthetic protocols permitting their large‐scale production are highly desirable. Herein, we report the efficient one‐pot synthesis of strictly linear HDPE‐ b ‐ i PP diblock copolymers achieved by coordinative chain transfer polymerization (CCTP). Various diblock copolymers with short and very narrow distributed HDPE ( M n = 1400–2400 g × mol −1 ; Ð = 1.4) and long i PP segments were synthesized and used to compatibilize HDPE/ i PP blends. The synthesized block copolymers differ in their overall molecular weights ( M n = 10,600–60,600 g × mol −1 ) by varying the i PP segment, whereas the HDPE block was kept in a narrow range. Block copolymers with a molecular weight from M n = 23,000–39,000 g × mol −1 are competitive or outperform commercial compatibilizers, INFUSE TM and INTUNE TM , with the highest efficiency in compatibilizing 30/70 (wt./wt.) HDPE/ i PP blends by a 5 wt.‐% copolymer addition. SEM studies revealed that after adding the diblock copolymer, HDPE core shell structures were formed, and the HDPE particle size decreases compared to the neat blend, avoiding HDPE particles from debonding during tensile deformation tests.

Source: Journal of Polymer Science

DOI: 10.1002/pol.20250151

Authors: André Dickert, Patrick Wolff, Winfried P. Kretschmer, Rhett Kempe

Institution: University of Bayreuth

Language: English

Topic: Polymer crystallization and properties

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,380