ISSN:
0887-624X
Keywords:
polyolefin catalysis
;
tomography
;
catalyst/polymer morphology
;
Chemistry
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Drastic changes occur during the initial stages of the α-olefin polymerization over heterogeneous catalysts. Fragmentation of the support takes place as polymer is formed at the active sites within the voids of the support/catalyst. Magnesium chloride-supported titanium catalyst/polymer particles have been analyzed employing high-resolution computed microtomography (CMT) using synchrotron radiation at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The changes in morphology, the spatial distribution of the support/catalyst fragments, porosity, and polymer distribution in single growing polypropylene and polyethylene particles have been studied. These studies documented considerable macroporosity ( 〉 2 μm in size) within the growing catalyst/support/polymer particles. The largest pores may be due to agglomeration of smaller subparticles. Our results confirm that the initial fragmentation of the support proceeds readily and uniformly to yield a multi-grain growth of subparticle agglomerates. The support/catalyst fragments appear to be distributed relatively uniformly within the growing polymer particle. The surface of the subparticle agglomerates is accessible through the void-space between growing catalyst/particle grains. This may facilitate monomer transport to the activate sites through the polymer/catalyst particles. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Additional Material:
6 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pola.1993.080311011
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