An improved phase‐inversion process for the preparation of silica/poly[styrene‐co‐(acrylic acid)] core–shell microspheres: synthesis and application in the field of polyolefin catalysis |
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Authors: | Du Lijun Qin Wei Wang Jingdai Yang Yongrong Wu Wenqing Jiang Binbo |
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Affiliation: | 1. State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang, PR China;2. SINOPEC Tianjin Company, Tianjin 300271, PR China |
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Abstract: | Spherical and well‐dispersed silica/polystyrene‐co‐(acrylic acid)] (SiO2/PSA) core–shell particles have been synthesized using an improved phase‐inversion process. The resulting particles were successfully used as supports for polyolefin catalysts in the production of polyethylene with broad molecular weight distribution. Through the vapor phase, instead of the liquid phase in the traditional process, a non‐solvent was introduced into a mixture of micrometer‐sized SiO2 and PSA solution. The core–shell structure of the resulting SiO2/PSA microspheres was confirmed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transfer infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis and measurement of nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. In order to avoid agglomeration of particles and to obtain a good dispersion of the SiO2/PSA core–shell microspheres, the non‐solvent was added slowly. As the concentration of PSA solution increased, the surface morphology of the core–shell particles became looser and more irregular. However, the surface area and the pore volume remained the same under varying PSA concentrations. The SiO2/PSA core‐shell microspheres obtained were used as a catalyst carrier system in which the core supported (n‐BuCp)2ZrCl2 and the shell supported TiCl4. Ethylene/1‐hexene copolymerization results indicated that the zirconocene and titanium‐based Ziegler–Natta catalysts were compatible in the hybrid catalyst, showing high activities. The resulting polyethylene had high molecular weight and broad molecular weight distribution. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry |
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Keywords: | composite particles core– shell structure phase inversion hybrid catalyst ethylene polymerization broad molecular weight distribution |
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