Synthesis of branched polyethylene from ethylene stock by an interference-free tandem catalysis of TiCl₄/MgCl₂ and iron catalyst

An interference-free tandem catalysis based on iron catalyst and TiCl ₄/MgCl₂, activated by MAO, was used to prepare branched polyethylene by polymerization of ethylene. No obvious deactivation due to the side reaction of catalysts and cocatalysts was detected during the reaction process, which commonly existed in tandem catalytic systems based on conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts. A series of branched polyethylene with different properties have been prepared by adjusting of reaction temperature, Fe/Ti molar ratio and the amount of MAO used. The alteration of oligomers concentration in the reaction system, by changing of reaction conditions, led to the products with different branching degrees, thus the thermal properties and molecular weight. The products obtained in toluene at lower Fe/Ti ratios exhibited better morphology than those obtained at higher Fe/Ti ratios.