A binary nickel diimine-MCM-41 supported catalyst and its application in ethylene polymerization

Abstract

Nickel/α-diimine catalytic systems are known for their outstanding activity in α-olefin polymerization. Polymer microstructure control is a special feature of these catalysts. However, homogeneous nickel catalysts lack competitiveness against the conventional heterogeneous catalysts, which are suitable for current industrial processes. In this regard, attaching these catalysts to a convenient carrier is a critical step. In this work, a new functionalized nickel catalytic precursor was developed, which was attached to a mesoporous silica (MCM-41). The precursor was attached either alone (single precursor) or together with a second catalyst (forming a binary precursor). This binary system aggregates the characteristics of two polymers in one product. The binary precursor presented good behavior in the ethylene polymerization reaction and catalytic activity up to 3876 kg PE mol Ni−1 h−1. The single precursors reached activities of 3964 kg PE mol Ni−1 h−1. The dual behavior was proven by the employed characterization techniques.