STUDY OF DIFFERENT MONTMORILLONITES AS “SUPPORT-ACTIVATORS” FOR METALLOCENE-CATALYZED PROPYLENE POLYMERIZATION

Abstract

Three different kinds of montmorillonites (Benclay SL, Benclay KK, and Kunipia F) were evaluated as “Support-Activators” for metallocene-catalyzed propylene polymerization. The respective clay materials were acid-treated to alter their physico-chemical properties, and used for the preparation of metallocene catalysts. The catalyst systems were subsequently characterized and their efficacy in facilitating the polymerization of propylene was evaluated. It was observed that polymerization activities were specifically influenced by the kind of clay mineral used. Based on our study, the level of catalytic activity is proportionally related to the surface areas of the small-size pores (pore diameter<6 nm), where strong acid sites are present.