Nature of activating effect of two-step polymerization of propylene

Abstract

The prepolymerization effect on propylene polymerization in the presence of a TiCl 3 -based catalyst, modified by di-n-buthyl ether, was studied. The influence of prepolymerization on the electron spin resonance spectra and morphology of the catalyst, as well as the properties and the morphology of both prepolymer and regular polymerization products, was investigated. The polymer morphology was evaluated through scanning electron microscopy, polymer bulk density, and particle size distribution. Some evidence of the enhancement effect of prepolymerization on the catalyst activity and stereospecificity was obtained. No influence from prepolymerization was observed on molecular weight and its distribution, melting point, and crystallinity of polypropylene. These findings, when discussed in connection with the morphology results of the catalyst and prepolymer, showed that the prepolymerization performed at mild reaction conditions prevents fast and extensive fragmentation of the original catalyst agglomerates. The more controlled breakup of the catalyst particles in the course of slowed growth of prepolymer exposes the occluded catalyst fragments with uniform size and prevents their reagglomeration. Resulting from the above, catalyst homogeneity, catalyst activity, and polymer morphology are improved.