Evolution of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Synthesis: A Comprehensive Review of Phenoxy-Imine Catalysts for Enhanced Material Properties and Industrial Perspective

Gediz Korkmaz

doi:10.5281/zenodo.15655838

Authors

Gediz Korkmaz Çukurova University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7012-6520

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15655838

Keywords:

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, Phenoxy-Imine catalyst, UHMWPE

Abstract

More than 60 years after its first synthesis, Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) remains a material of choice for numerous applications in biomedical, energy storage, and industrial parts manufacturing. Its basic and inert chain structure, semi-crystalline morphology, low friction coefficient, and wear-resistant properties make it an ideal candidate for knee and hip joints, battery separators, and low-wear, low-friction equipment parts. The properties of UHMWPE change significantly with variations in molecular weight, polydispersity, and chain entanglements. Therefore, the choice of catalyst-cocatalyst-scavenger systems in UHMWPE production plays a crucial role in determining the material's properties and quality. Since the late 1990s, the development of the 'ligand-based catalyst development strategy' and the introduction of the Phenoxy-Imine (FI) ligated Titanium catalyst by Fujita and coworkers have prompted many researchers to focus on FI catalysts and their applications in UHMWPE synthesis. Disentangled Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (dUHMWPE) synthesized using specific FI catalysts, particularly those with fluoroaniline-containing ligands, have exhibited very high activity and demonstrated 'living polymerization' characteristics. This study provides a concise review of UHMWPE catalysts, with a special emphasis on the phenoxy-imine class of post-metallocene catalysts.

Author Biography

Gediz Korkmaz, Çukurova University

Cukurova University, Graduate School of Sciences, Department of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, 01330 Adana, Türkiye

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