TY - JOUR
T1 - Combining polyethylene and polypropylene
T2 - Enhanced performance with PE/iPP multiblock polymers
AU - Eagan, James M.
AU - Xu, Jun
AU - Di Girolamo, Rocco
AU - Thurber, Christopher M.
AU - Macosko, Christopher W.
AU - La Pointe, Anne M.
AU - Bates, Frank S.
AU - Coates, Geoffrey W.
PY - 2017/2/24
Y1 - 2017/2/24
N2 - Polyethylene (PE) and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) constitute nearly two-thirds of the world's plastic. Despite their similar hydrocarbon makeup, the polymers are immiscible with one another. Thus, common grades of PE and iPP do not adhere or blend, creating challenges for recycling these materials.We synthesized PE/iPP multiblock copolymers using an isoselective alkene polymerization initiator. These polymers can weld common grades of commercial PE and iPP together, depending on the molecular weights and architecture of the block copolymers. Interfacial compatibilization of phase-separated PE and iPP with tetrablock copolymers enables morphological control, transforming brittle materials into mechanically tough blends.
AB - Polyethylene (PE) and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) constitute nearly two-thirds of the world's plastic. Despite their similar hydrocarbon makeup, the polymers are immiscible with one another. Thus, common grades of PE and iPP do not adhere or blend, creating challenges for recycling these materials.We synthesized PE/iPP multiblock copolymers using an isoselective alkene polymerization initiator. These polymers can weld common grades of commercial PE and iPP together, depending on the molecular weights and architecture of the block copolymers. Interfacial compatibilization of phase-separated PE and iPP with tetrablock copolymers enables morphological control, transforming brittle materials into mechanically tough blends.
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U2 - 10.1126/science.aah5744
DO - 10.1126/science.aah5744
M3 - Article
C2 - 28232574
AN - SCOPUS:85014029785
SN - 0036-8075
VL - 355
SP - 814
EP - 816
JO - Science
JF - Science
IS - 6327
ER -