Confined polymerization: catalyzed synthesis of high Tm, nanofibrous polyethylene within porous polymer microspheres

Crystalline nanofibers of linear polyethylene were formed through ethylene confined polymerization with porous polymer microsphere-supported titanocene. Polyethylene nanofibers (<70 nm) aggregated to form intertwined thicker fibers (300 nm to 22 mu m). The obtained PE has high M-w and T-m. Interestingly, the high Tm (142.4 degrees C) was maintained in the second stage of heating.