Copolymerization of Ethylene with Diene Comonomers using Bis(2-PhInd)ZrCl2 as Metallocene Catalyst: ΙΙ. Response Surface Method

Ethylene copolymers of two diene comonomers (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene (Isoprene) and 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB)) were synthesized using methyl aluminoxane (MAO) activated (2-PhInd)2ZrCl2 metallocene catalyst. In order to identify the operation conditions effect on the copolymerization process, the response surface method (RSM) was utilized. The most affective parameters were selected as ethylene pressure, polymerization temperature and the comonomer content in the feed stock, considering our group recent researches. The results showed that the operation factors effect on the copolymerization process is influenced directly by the diene comonomer structure. Hence, different models were obtained for the activity as a function of the aforementioned parameters.