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Initial Particle Morphology Development in Ziegler‐Natta Propylene Polymerization Tracked with Stopped‐Flow Technique
Author(s) -
Taniike Toshiaki,
Thang Vu Quoc,
Binh Nguyen Tien,
Hiraoka Yuichi,
Uozumi Toshiya,
Terano Minoru
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201000598
Subject(s) - polymerization , materials science , polymer chemistry , porosimetry , chemical engineering , polymer , morphology (biology) , ziegler–natta catalyst , catalysis , scanning electron microscope , particle (ecology) , melt flow index , macropore , composite material , chemistry , porosity , copolymer , organic chemistry , geology , oceanography , engineering , paleontology , porous medium , mesoporous material
In this study, the particle morphology development at the very initial stage of propylene polymerization using a spherical Mg(OEt) 2 ‐based ZN catalyst was precisely tracked by applying stopped‐flow and short‐time slurry polymerizations. Electron microscope observation and mercury porosimetry derived a comprehensive view of the initial particle morphology development. The polymer first filled macropores, which were mainly located in the middle layer of the catalyst particles, then caused the fragmentation of the middle layer, and finally triggered the fragmentation of the particle core in a stepwise manner. Thus, key effects of the layered catalyst architecture and spatial distribution of macropores were discovered on the initial morphology control of catalytic olefin polymerization.