The charge percolation mechanism and simulation of Ziegler-Natta polymerizations. Part VII. Effects of the distribution of chromium active centers on silica on the polymerization of ethylene

Abstract

The charge percolation mechanism (CPM) of olefin polymerization in the presence of transition metal compounds has been applied to explain the polymerization of ethylene by silica supported chromium oxide. In the previous work of this series, the fundamental issues and mechanism of this polymerization were presented. In this work the compatibility of the CPM with the empirical findings is confirmed. The CPM has been applied to explain: the appearance of an induction period; the deactivation of active centers and the formation of oligomers; the effects of chromium concentration on the silica surface, the silica surface discontinuity and the pore size of silica on polymerization and the formation of the structure of polyethylene. A mathematical model has been derived to explain the effects of the CrOx/SiO2 ratio on the productivity of Phillips catalysts in the polymerization of ethylene. The empirical findings have also been confirmed by computer simulations.