Morphological influences in the gas phase polymerization of ethylene by silica supported chromium oxide catalysts

Abstract

Abstract Dramatic changes occur during the initial stages of olefin polymerization over heterogenous catalysts. As polymer accumulates, the catalyst fragments and the void space within the growing particle becomes filled with polymer. The changing monomer transport rate to the active sites, dissipation of heat and stress with the particle, and eventually, dispersion of catalyst fragments within the growing particle can control the polymerization. We focus on the changes in, and influence of, polymer, catalyst and void morphology during the nascent polymerization for silica supported chromium oxide catalysts. We find that the course of the polymerization depends on the initial stages yet is seldom considered in polymerization models. We review several years of morphological characterization that identify the important physical phenomena which occur during nascent heterogeneous olefin polymerization.