Industrial Synthesis of Linear Low‐Density Polyethylene with H‐Shape Long‐Chain‐Branching Structures Using Ziegler‐Natta Catalysts

Abstract A novel linear low‐density polyethylene containing H‐shape long‐chain‐branching structures (LCB‐LLDPE) is industrially synthesized with Ziegler‐Natta catalysts and gas‐phase polymerization process at the assistance of ω ‐alkenylmethyldichlorosilane copolymerization‐hydrolysis chemistry. The incorporated LCB structures are characterized by NMR, SEC, and SAOS (small amplitude oscillatory shear) measurements. With a same‐sourced plain LLDPE as a comparison benchmark, the new LCB‐LLDPE is studied for its properties on various aspects, revealing, among others, significantly reinforced rheological properties, including enhanced shear‐thinning behavior, a significant strain‐hardening phenomenon in extensional flow, and substantially increased melt strength, as well as significantly improved optical properties, which all benefit its application in extrusion blow molding for thin‐film production.