Particle control of Ziegler–Natta catalysts based on TiCl3 for propylene polymerization. Effect of prepolymerization

Prepolymerizations employing an extremely high stereospecific and high active catalyst based on TiCl₃ modified by di-n-butyl ether (DBE) were carried out with different monomers (styrene, propylene, hexene-1, cyclopentadiene). The influence of prepolymerization on the morphology of polypropylene obtained with TiCl₃ catalyst was investigated. The catalyst was synthesized by TiCl₄ reduction in toluene solution with A1Et₃·DBE complex. The polymer morphology was evaluated through optical and scanning electron microscopies and polymer bulk density and particle size distribution. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.