Jim Don Byers

Intermolecular structural homogeneity of metallocene polyethylene copolymers

Abstract Direct proof of intermolecular compositional inhomogeneity of a metallocene polyethylene copolymer has been obtained using a cross-fractionation (CF) technique. The ethylene/1-hexene copolymer sample was synthesized using a Zr-based homogeneous metallocene catalyst. A solvent gradient fractionation (SGF) applied to the whole polymer material has produced nearly monodispersed molecular weight distribution fractions. The component molecules of a representative SGF fraction are then further sorted out, using a temperature gradient fractionation technique, according to their short-chain branching (SCB) differences. Molecular characterization of the resulting CF fractions reveals the presence of significant intermolecular SCB content differences among the components of the sample material.