Reaction Engineering, Kinetics, and Catalysis

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Crystallization kinetics of PE-b-isotactic PMMA diblock copolymer synthesized using SiMe2(Ind)2ZrMe2 and MAO cocatalyst

  1. Muhammad Atiqullah1,2,*,
  2. Mohammad M. Hossain3,
  3. Muhammad S. Kamal3,
  4. Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi3,
  5. Masiullah J. Khan3,
  6. Anwar Hossaen4,
  7. Ikram Hussain4

Article first published online: 1 MAY 2012

DOI: 10.1002/aic.13806

Issue

AIChE Journal

AIChE Journal

Volume 59, Issue 1, pages 200–214, January 2013

Additional Information

How to Cite

Atiqullah, M., Hossain, M. M., Kamal, M. S., Al-Harthi, M. A., Khan, M. J., Hossaen, A. and Hussain, I. (2013), Crystallization kinetics of PE-b-isotactic PMMA diblock copolymer synthesized using SiMe2(Ind)2ZrMe2 and MAO cocatalyst. AIChE J., 59: 200–214. doi: 10.1002/aic.13806

Author Information

  1. 1

    King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST), Center-in-Development for Transformative Research in Petrochemicals and Polymers, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

  2. 2

    Center of Research Excellence in Petroleum Refining and Petrochemicals, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

  3. 3

    Dept. of Chemical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

  4. 4

    Center for Refining and Petrochemicals, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to M. Atiqullah at matiq@kfupm.edu.sa.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 21 DEC 2012
  2. Article first published online: 1 MAY 2012
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 27 MAR 2012 01:23PM EST
  4. Manuscript Revised: 17 MAR 2012
  5. Manuscript Received: 13 NOV 2011

Funded by

  • King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) Center-in-Development for Transformative Research in Petrochemicals and Polymers at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
  • King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) via the Science & Technology Unit at KFUPM. Grant Number: 08-PET90-4
  • National Science and Technology Innovation Plan

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Keywords:

  • zirconocene catalyst;
  • polyethylene-b-poly(methyl methacraylate) diblock copolymer;
  • polymerization mechanism;
  • Avrami-Erofeev equation;
  • nonisothermal crystallization kinetics;
  • differential scanning calorimeter

Polyethylene-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PE-b-PMMA) diblock copolymer has important interfacial applications. Hence, a PE-b-isotactic PMMA diblock copolymer was synthesized using SiMe2(Ind)2ZrMe2 and MAO cocatalyst. The polymerization mechanism and the origin of PMMA isotacticity were duly explained. An appropriate nonisothermal Avrami-Erofeev crystallization model was developed to compare the crystallization kinetics of the above copolymer with that of a PE homopolymer. For both polymers, the model well matched the entire differential scanning calorimeter crystallinity profile, notably for a single Avrami-Erofeev index, and predicted cylindrical crystal growth. This model particularly overcomes the limitations of the published nonisothermal crystallization models, and provides interesting insight into PE crystallization. The PMMA block significantly decreased the heats of crystallization and fusion, % crystallinity, and the relative crystallization function; increased the nonisothermal crystallization rate constant; and introduced minimal dilution effect whereas the PE block formed a continuous or percolated phase. This study correlates catalyst structure, copolymer block tacticity, and PE nonisothermal crystallization and melting behavior. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 200–214, 2013

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