Ziegler‐Natta/Metallocene Hybrid Catalyst for Ethylene Polymerization

Abstract

Abstract A Ziegler‐Natta/metallocene hybrid catalyst was produced and utilized in the polymerization of ethylene with the aim of producing bimodal polyethylene. The MgCl 2 adduct was prepared by a melt quenching method and Cp 2 ZrCl 2 and TiCl 4 catalysts were loaded, respectively, after treating the surface with TiBAl. The polymerization kinetics involved an induction period, followed by fragmentation and expansion of particles. SEM micrographs revealed that the spherical morphology was retained through the initial mild reaction conditions of induction period. The polymers produced showed bimodal molecular weight distribution patterns, suggesting that both components of the hybrid catalyst were active over the support. magnified image