Nascent disentangled UHMWPE: Origin, synthesis, processing, performances and applications

The advent of nascent d-UHMWPE overcomes the intrinsic melting defects and crystal boundaries within the commercial UHMWPE (C-UHMWPE) based products, and opens the access to high value-added UHMWPE materials with long lifetime and improved qualities. The nascent d-UHMWPE derives from the disentanglement of UHMWPE that calls for suitable synthetic routes to d-UHMWPE. With a continuous development the synthesis of d-UHMWPE can be achieved either by single site catalysts or heterogeneous solid catalysts, and demonstrates a much easier processability within a wider temperature window. The processed d-UHMWPE demonstrates superior drawability, flexibility, toughness and thermal conductivity et al., and promises to be used in packages, bullet-proof armors, total knee/hip/ankle joint replacements, aerospace and marine engineering et al. The contribution systematically reviews the origin, catalytic synthesis, processing and applications of the nascent d-UHMWPE, and gives a detailed description on the conceptual proposal, the core and key points facing to the nascent d-UHMWPE. By analyzing the scientific problems still existing in the relating researches, the developmental trends and prospects of the nascent d-UHMWPE are envisioned.