Propylene polymerization using supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems with mixed donors

Magnesium dichloride supported titanium catalyst incorporated with varying concentration of ethylbenzoate and diisobutyl phthalate together as internal donor are synthesized. The synthesized catalysts are characterized and compared with respect to composition, phase characteristics, crystallite size, and particle morphology. Performance of catalysts containing mixed donors is compared with the conventional single donor-based catalysts. The polymerization studies of the catalysts for propylene polymerization show dependence of polymerization kinetics on relative concentration of diisobutyl phthalate and ethylbenzoate. Molecular weight characteristics of polypropylene obtained from these catalysts are studied and correlated with the nature and concentration of donors present in the catalyst. Morphology replication from catalyst precursor to polymer is observed irrespective of the nature of donor being incorporated in the synthesized catalyst. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012