Novel magnetic polyethylene nanocomposites produced by supported nanometremagnetic Ziegler-Natta catalyst

This paper describes the preparation of novel magnetic polyethylene nanocom posites using a nanometre magnetic Ziegler-Natta catalyst. It was found tha t novel magnetic polyethylene nanocomposites can be obtained according to t he following four steps: (1) preparation of nanometre magnetic particles; ( 2) reaction between AlR3 and hydroxyls on the surface of nanometre magnetic particles to form anchor points -AlR2; (3) addition of TiCl4, Ti being coo rdinated to anchor points on the surface of nanometre magnetic particles to form polymerization active centres; (4) ethylene polymerization being carr ied out in situ on the surface of the nanometre magnetic particles to produ ce novel magnetic polyethylene nanocomposites. It is found that the activit y of ethylene polymerization is essentially unaffected by polymerization te mperature and polymerization time. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.