SYNTHESIZE A NEW HIGH-PERFORMANCE ZIEGLER-NATTA CATALYST FOR POLYETHYLENE PRODUCTION

In this work, a high performance Ziegler-Natta type catalyst was synthesized, characterized and used for polyethylene production. For this purpose titanium tetrachloride used as catalyst for active sites producing, magnesium ethoxide as support and ethylaluminum sesquichloride used as a chlorinating agent in catalyst preparation. First of all, Magnesium ethoxide was grinded to reach the desired particle size. Characterization of catalyst performed by XRF and UV spectroscopy showed molar ratio of 1:0.35:2.5:0.35 for Mg:Ti:Cl:Al. BET specific surface area of catalyst was 44.83 m2/g. IR and XRD pattern of catalyst showed that Mg(OEt)2 was converted to MgCl2 by reaction with TiCl4 and Al2Cl3(C2H5)3. Polymerization of ethylene was carried out over the catalyst and triethylaluminium. The polymerization data demonstrated that the catalyst has a very good activity. The effects of [Al]/[Ti] molar ratio, temperature and monomer pressure on the activity of the catalyst have been evaluated with Minitab 17.

Keywords:

Ziegler-Natta catalyst , Magnesium ethoxide , ethylaluminum sesquichloride , Characterization of ZN catalyst , polymerization , ethylene