Silica-supported nickel and zirconium catalysts for branched polyethylene

8-Aminoquinoline nickel dichloride and bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride (Cp2ZrCl2) were supported simultaneously on silica to produce branched polyethylene successfully by combined polymerization. The supported polymerization results showed that the molecular weight of polyethylene increased while the molecular weight distribution became wider and the molecular chains of oligomers remaining in the final solution became shorter as compared to the oligomers obtained in polymerization processes with pure 8-aminoquinoline nickel dichloride catalysis, as well as the Cp2ZrCl2 and nickel combination system. With decreasing amount of Ni catalyst in the supported catalyst, the molecular chains of oligomers in the resulting solution became shorter, while alpha-olefin selectivity increased.