Olefin Polymerization Catalyst Component Isotacticity and Flexural Modulus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing olefin polymers with high isotacticity and broad molecular weight distribution, such as those using magnesium, titanium, and internal electron donors, fail to achieve optimal flexural modulus due to insufficient isotacticity and molecular weight orientation.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a catalyst system comprising magnesium, tetravalent titanium halide, phthalate, and alkylidene malonate compounds to produce a solid catalyst component for olefin polymerization, which enhances isotacticity and molecular weight distribution, resulting in improved flexural modulus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If succinate compound is used as internal electron donor, then broad molecular weight distribution is achieved, but isotacticity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolecular weight distributionVSAvoidisotacticity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two different internal electron donor compounds (phthalate compound and alkylidene malonate compound) into a single catalyst system. This merging allows the system to simultaneously achieve broad molecular weight distribution (from the alkylidene malonate compound) and high isotacticity (from the phthalate compound), resolving the contradiction between these two properties that cannot be achieved with either compound alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If phthalate compound is used as internal electron donor, then high isotacticity is achieved, but molecular weight distribution is narrow

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveisotacticityVSAvoidmolecular weight distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges phthalate compound and alkylidene malonate compound in the catalyst system. The phthalate compound provides high isotacticity while the alkylidene malonate compound contributes to broad molecular weight distribution, allowing both properties to be achieved simultaneously rather than having to choose one over the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional catalyst system is used, then production cost is low, but flexural modulus is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidflexural modulus
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the internal electron donor by introducing a specific combination of phthalate compound and alkylidene malonate compound. This parameter change in the catalyst composition leads to polypropylene with both high isotacticity and broad molecular weight distribution, which together produce the high flexural modulus required for automotive applications while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The proposed method achieves high isotacticity and broad molecular weight distribution, leading to enhanced flexural modulus in olefin polymers, making them suitable for applications requiring high stiffness, such as automotive components.

Implementation Method 1

A method involving the use of a catalyst system comprising magnesium, tetravalent titanium halide, phthalate, and alkylidene malonate compounds to produce a solid catalyst component for olefin polymerization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS10246530B2Method for producing solid catalyst component for olefin polymerization, catalyst for olefin polymerization and a process for propylene polymerization
Publication Date: 2019.04.02 TOHO TITANIUM CO LTD

AI summary

A method for producing a solid catalyst for olefin (co)polymerization includes bringing into contact with each other a magnesium compound, a tetravalent titanium halide compound, an organic compound represented the following general formula (1)R1k(C6H4-k)(COOR2)(COOR3)  (1) andan organic compound represented the following general formula (2)R4R5C═C (COOR6)(COOR7)  (2)wherein R1 is a halogen atom or an alkyl group, R2 and R3 are a linear alkyl group, R4 and R5 are independently an atom or group selected from a hydrogen atom, halogen, a linear alkyl group, a branched alkyl group a vinyl group, a linear or branched alkenyl group, a cycloalkenyl group, an aromatic hydrocarbon group, and R6 and R7 are independently a linear alkyl group, a branched alkyl group, a vinyl group, a linear or branched alkenyl group a cycloalkyl group, a cycloalkenyl group, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group.