Electrochemically assisted ethylene (co-)polymerization with a vanadium-based Ziegler-Natta catalyst

A facile and efficient electrochemically assisted ethylene polymerization and ethylene-propylene copolymerization with the widely used VOCl₃/ethylaluminum sesquichloride (EASC) catalyst system was demonstrated. The low-activity and/or inactive low-valence-state V species present in the catalyst were oxidized to high-valence-state V through electrochemical methodology. Thus, the catalytic activity of the VOCl₃/EASC catalyst system was significantly improved. The effects of electrochemical application on the resultant polymer structure and properties were investigated. This work provides a new strategy to improve the performance of Ziegler-Natta catalysts.