Abstract: A method of making an ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymer includes immobilizing a metallocene catalyst on a layered double hydroxide (LDH) to form a supported metallocene catalyst complex. The method also includes mixing the supported metallocene catalyst complex in a nonpolar solvent to form a first mixture. The method further includes degassing the first mixture and saturating with a gaseous mixture of ethylene and propylene to form a second mixture. The method further includes mixing an aluminoxane catalyst with the second mixture to initiate a polymerization reaction of the ethylene and propylene to form a reaction mixture comprising the EP copolymer and separating the EP copolymer from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method of making a polyolefin nanocomposite including, mixing a zinc-aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH), and a zirconocene complex in a non-polar solvent to form a first mixture. Prior to the mixing the zirconocene complex is not supported on the zinc-aluminum LDH. The method further includes sonicating the first mixture for at least one hour to form a homogeneous slurry. The method further includes degassing the homogenous slurry and adding at least one olefin gas to form a second mixture. The method further includes adding an aluminoxane catalyst to the second mixture and reacting for at least 10 minutes to form a reaction mixture including the polyolefin nanocomposite. The method further includes separating the polyolefin nanocomposite from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method of making a polyolefin nanocomposite including, mixing a zinc-aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH), and a zirconocene complex in a non-polar solvent to form a first mixture. Prior to the mixing the zirconocene complex is not supported on the zinc-aluminum LDH. The method further includes sonicating the first mixture for at least one hour to form a homogeneous slurry. The method further includes degassing the homogenous slurry and adding at least one olefin gas to form a second mixture. The method further includes adding an aluminoxane catalyst to the second mixture and reacting for at least 10 minutes to form a reaction mixture including the polyolefin nanocomposite. The method further includes separating the polyolefin nanocomposite from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method of making a polyolefin including, mixing a layered double hydroxide (LDH), and a zirconocene complex in a non-polar solvent to form a first mixture. The method further includes degassing the first mixture and adding an olefin to form a second mixture. The method further includes adding an aluminoxane cocatalyst to the second mixture and reacting for at least 10 minutes to form a reaction mixture including the polyolefin. The method further includes separating the polyolefin from the reaction mixture. The polyolefin has a melting temperature of 120-130° C. The zirconocene complex is supported on the LDH to form a supported catalyst complex in the first mixture.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyethylene nanocomposite by polymerizing ethylene in a polymerization mixture that contains a graphene-layered double hydroxide nanocomposite, a metallocene catalyst, an alkylaluminoxane co-catalyst, and an organic solvent to form a polyethylene nanocomposite in which the graphene-layered double hydroxide nanocomposite is dispersed in a matrix of polyethylene and wherein the graphene-layered double hydroxide nanocomposite contains 1 to 7 wt.% graphene relative to a total weight of the graphene-layered double hydroxide nanocomposite.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyethylene nanocomposite by polymerizing ethylene in a polymerization mixture that contains a graphene-layered double hydroxide nanocomposite, a metallocene catalyst, an alkylaluminoxane co-catalyst, and an organic solvent to form a polyethylene nanocomposite in which the graphene-layered double hydroxide nanocomposite is dispersed in a matrix of polyethylene and wherein the graphene-layered double hydroxide nanocomposite contains 1 to 7 wt. % graphene relative to a total weight of the graphene-layered double hydroxide nanocomposite.

Abstract: A method of making a polyolefin nanocomposite including, mixing a zinc-aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH), and a zirconocene complex in a non-polar solvent to form a first mixture. Prior to the mixing the zirconocene complex is not supported on the zinc-aluminum LDH. The method further includes sonicating the first mixture for at least one hour to form a homogeneous slurry. The method further includes degassing the homogenous slurry and adding at least one olefin gas to form a second mixture. The method further includes adding an aluminoxane catalyst to the second mixture and reacting for at least 10 minutes to form a reaction mixture including the polyolefin nanocomposite. The method further includes separating the polyolefin nanocomposite from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A drilling fluid formulation which includes an aqueous phase, and additives including an organophilic clay, a gemini surfactant, and a polyacrylamide. The organophilic clay contains an ion-exchange reaction product of a clay material (e.g. smectite) and quaternary ammonium cations. The polyacrylamide contains reacted units of an acrylamide monomer, an acrylate monomer, and a hydrophobicity modifying monomer. Rheology properties of the drilling fluid including gel strength, yield stress, and storage modulus are specified. The additives present in the drilling fluid synergistically boost its shale swelling inhibition capability.

Abstract: A drilling fluid formulation which includes an aqueous phase, and additives including an organophilic clay, a gemini surfactant, and a polyacrylamide. The organophilic clay contains an ion-exchange reaction product of a clay material (e.g. smectite) and quaternary ammonium cations. The polyacrylamide contains reacted units of an acrylamide monomer, an acrylate monomer, and a hydrophobicity modifying monomer. Rheology properties of the drilling fluid including gel strength, yield stress, and storage modulus are specified. The additives present in the drilling fluid synergistically boost its shale swelling inhibition capability.

Abstract: A process for making microwave-irradiated nanocomposites comprising graphene nanoplatelets dispersed in a polymer matrix, showing improved structural and electrical properties, is provided. The nanocomposites may be made using a solution casting technique, and may have a bilayer structure comprising a graphene-enriched layer in contact with a polymer-enriched layer. The nanocomposite may be used as a shielding material on electrical devices to decrease electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyethylene nanocomposite by polymerizing ethylene in a polymerization mixture that contains a graphene-layered double hydroxide nanocomposite, a metallocene catalyst, an alkylaluminoxane co-catalyst, and an organic solvent to form a polyethylene nanocomposite in which the graphene-layered double hydroxide nanocomposite is dispersed in a matrix of polyethylene and wherein the graphene-layered double hydroxide nanocomposite contains 1 to 7 wt. % graphene relative to a total weight of the graphene-layered double hydroxide nanocomposite.

Abstract: Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) is produced from an ethylene-only feed over a tandem catalyst system consisting of a phenoxy-imine titanium trimerization catalyst and a silylene-linked cyclopentadienyl/amido titanium polymerization catalyst co-supported on the same methylaluminoxane/silica particles. The level of 1-hexene incorporation in the LLDPE can be controlled by varying the ethylene pressure. Tandem, co-silica-supported ethylene trimerization and ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization catalysts produce linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) from an ethylene-only feedstock. The percentage 1-hexene incorporation in the LLDPE may be varied by adjusting the amounts of the two catalysts on the silica support.

Abstract: The supported metallocene catalyst for olefin polymerization is (nBuCp)2ZrCl2 impregnated onto a silica support having MAO tethered thereon. The catalyst is made by dehydroxylating silica, adding MAO dropwise to a slurry of the silica in toluene, heating the mixture for several hours, reacting (nBuCp)2ZrCl2 in toluene solvent with the MAO/silica support, and drying the catalyst under vacuum. The catalyst may be used, e.g., to catalyze copolymerization of ethylene with 1-hexene.

Abstract: Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) is produced from an ethylene-only feed over a tandem catalyst system consisting of a phenoxy-imine titanium trimerization catalyst and a silylene-linked cyclopentadienyl/amido titanium polymerization catalyst co-supported on the same methylaluminoxane/silica particles. The level of 1-hexene incorporation in the LLDPE can be controlled by varying the ethylene pressure. Tandem, co-silica-supported ethylene trimerization and ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization catalysts produce linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) from an ethylene-only feedstock. The percentage 1-hexene incorporation in the LLDPE may be varied by adjusting the amounts of the two catalysts on the silica support.

Abstract: The supported metallocene catalyst for olefin polymerization is (nBuCp)2ZrCl2 impregnated onto a silica support having nBuSnCl3 and MAO tethered thereon. The catalyst is made by dehydroxylating silica, forming a silica/toluene slurry, injecting nBuSnCl3 into the slurry, refluxing the silica/toluene/nBuSnCl3 slurry, adding MAO dropwise to a slurry of the nBuSnCl3-functionalized silica in toluene, heating the mixture for several hours, reacting (nBuCp)2ZrCl2 in toluene solvent with the MAO/nBuSnCl3-functionalized silica support, and drying the catalyst under vacuum. The catalyst may be used, e.g., to catalyze copolymerization of ethylene with 1-hexene.

Abstract: The supported metallocene catalyst for olefin polymerization is (nBuCp)2ZrCl2 impregnated onto a silica support having MAO tethered thereon. The catalyst is made by dehydroxylating silica, adding MAO dropwise to a slurry of the silica in toluene, heating the mixture for several hours, reacting (nBuCp)2ZrCl2 in toluene solvent with the MAO/silica support, and drying the catalyst under vacuum. The catalyst may be used, e.g., to catalyze copolymerization of ethylene with 1-hexene.

Abstract: The orifice chemical vapor deposition reactor provides controlled and regulated reaction gas and vapor flow in order to produce high yields of carbon nanotubes with relatively high purity. The reactor includes a first reaction chamber having an inlet and an outlet, with an input gas being injected therein. A catalyst boat is received within the first reaction chamber for receiving a volume of reaction catalyst. A second reaction chamber is provided, having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet thereof is in fluid communication with the outlet of the first reaction chamber. A flow-regulating member is positioned within the second reaction chamber adjacent the inlet thereof, with the flow-regulating member having an orifice formed therethrough for regulating gas flow. At least one product boat is received within the second reaction chamber for receiving at least one substrate upon which carbon nanotubes are formed.