Functionalization Of Polyolefins

Summarizes the significant experimental results on the functionalization of polyolefins and classifies them into several chemical methods. This book also provides information on the functional polyolefin materials. It covers: chemical approaches in the functionalization of polyolefins, and polyolefin materials and their potential applications.

Polyolefin is one of the most important materials produced in the chemical industry. The research in this area is not only scientifically challenging but also potentially economically rewarding. Many research activities, such as developing new catalysts, understanding polymerization mechanisms, modifying the products and improving the physical properties of the material, have been proceeding at a very fast pace, especially in the industrial laboratories in many countries. It is very important and exciting to bring researchers active in this area, from both the academic and industrial sectors, to communicate their new findings. To the best of my knowledge, a symposium covering diverse aspects of polyolefin research has not been held in the USA for many years. With this in mind, a symposium entitled "Recent Advances in Polyolefins" was held at the National ACS Meeting in Washington D. C. , August 23-28, 1992. This symposium covered both scientific and technological aspects of polyolefin, which included four sections: CatalystIPolymerization, Functionalization of Polyolefins, Blends of Polyolefins with Other Polymers, and Applications. More than 50 papers, including 20 foreign contributions, were presented during three and a half days of meetings. It was truly exciting to see key researchers from both academic and industrial laboratories exchange their recent results and to share the important developments in polyolefins. This volume is based on the same spirit and is intended to capture some of the most recent and emerging technical achievements presented at the meeting.

When polyolefins are functionalised to modify its chemical structure and polarity, some other secondary reactions take place as well. The grafting of a different monomer onto the main chain of the polymer involves the use of a free radical initiator, such as a peroxide, or irradiation of the sample (gamma rays or ultrasound), that not only provide the free radicals for the grafting but also for main chain modifications. Different reaction processes such as functionalisation in solution, reactive extrusion or irradiation produce different structures. This book deals with modifications of the main chain as a consequence of polyolefin grafting through different techniques, such as functionalisation in solution and reactive extrusion and through polymer irradiation with gamma rays and ultrasound.

The definitive reference on the properties and applications of polyolefin blends Polyolefins account for more than half of total plastics consumption in the world. In recent years, usage of and research on polyolefin blends have increased significantly due to new applications in medicine, packaging, and other fields and the development of novel polyolefins. With a special emphasis on nano- and micro-structures of crystals and phase morphology, Polyolefin Blends condenses and consolidates current information on polyolefins so that the reader can compare, select, and integrate a material solution. Focusing exclusively on the fundamental aspects as well as applications of polyolefin blends, this authoritative reference: * Features an introductory chapter that serves as a guide to polyolefin blends * Includes chapters covering formulation design, processing, characterization, modeling and simulation, engineering performance properties, and applications * Covers polyolefin/polyolefin blends and polyolefin/non-polyolefin blends * Discusses miscibility, phase behavior, functionalization, compatibilization, microstructure, crystallization, hierarchical morphology, and physical and mechanical properties * Covers new research trends including in-situ reactor blending and reactive processing, such as compatibilization/functionalization in the melt * Contains practical examples from open literature sources and commercial products With chapters contributed by leading experts from several countries, this is a must-have reference for scientists and engineers conducting research on polyolefin blends and for professionals in medical, packaging, and other commodity fields. It is also an excellent text for graduate students studying polymer science and polymer processing.

Chemical modification of polymers by reactive modifiers is no longer an academic curiosity but a commercial reality that has delivered a diverse range of speciality materials for niche markets: reactively grafted styrenic alloys, maleated polyolefins, super-tough nylons, silane modified and moisture-cured polyolefins, and thermoplastic elastomers, are but few exam ples of commercial successes. Although the approach of reactive modification of polymers has been largely achieved either in solution or in the solid state (through in situ reactions in polymer melts), it is the latter route that has attracted most attention in the last two decades owing to its flexibility and cost-effective ness. This route, referred to as reactive processing, focuses on the use of suitable reactive modifier(s) and the adoption of conventional polymer processing machinery, an extruder or a mixer, as a chemical reactor, to perform in situ targeted reactions for chemical modification of preformed polymers. This relatively simple, though scientifically highly challenging, approach to reactive modification offers unique opportunities in exploiting various reactive modifiers for the purpose of altering and transforming in a controlled manner the properties of preformed commercial polymers into new/speciality materials with tailor-made properties and custom-designed performance for target applications. Such an economically attractive route constitutes a radical diversion away from the traditional practices of manufacturing new polymers from monomers which involves massive in vestments in sophisticated technologies and chemical plants.

With the advent of polymer nanocomposites, research on polyolefin nanocomposites has grown exponentially. Correcting the deficiency of a meaningful text on these important materials, Advances in Polyolefin Nanocomposites: Sums up recent advances in nanoscale dispersion of filler in polyolefins Presents a basic introduction to polyolefin nanocomposite technology for the readers new to this field Provides insights on the use of technologies for polyolefins nanocomposites for commercial application Includes contributions from the most experienced researchers in the field Offers insights into the commercial usage of techniques The text uses theoretical models to illustrate the organic–inorganic interfaces in polyolefins and also provides a detailed description of the recently developed models for property prediction of these nanocomposites. It concentrates on developments with not only aluminosilicate fillers, but also with equally important fillers like layer double hydroxides and nanotubes. The authors review polyolefin nanocomposite technology and methodologies of generation, properties and generation of composite blends, and advances in synthesis of nanocomposites using solution blending methods. The book covers theoretical and experimental considerations of clay surface modification and the importance and effect of various prominent filler categories.

Advances in Polymer Science enjoys a longstanding tradition and good reputation in its community. Each volume is dedicated to a current topic, and each review critically surveys one aspect of that topic, to place it within the context of the volume. The volumes typically summarize the significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years and discuss them critically, presenting selected examples, explaining and illustrating the important principles, and bringing together many important references of primary literature. On that basis, future research directions in the area can be discussed. Advances in Polymer Science volumes thus are important references for every polymer scientist, as well as for other scientists interested in polymer science - as an introduction to a neighboring field, or as a compilation of detailed information for the specialist.