In situ ATR-FTIR studies on MgCl2-diisobutyl phthalate interactions in thin film Ziegler-Natta catalysts.
To study the surface structure of MgCl(2) support and its interaction with other active components in Ziegler-Natta catalyst, such as electron donors, we prepared a thin film analogue for Ziegler-Natta ethylene polymerization catalyst support by spin-coating a solution of MgCl(2) in ethanol, optionally containing a diester internal donor (diisobutyl-ortho-phthalate, DIBP) on a flat Si crystal surface. The donor content of these films was quantified by applying attenuated total internal reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Changes in the interaction of DIBP with MgCl(2) at various temperatures were monitored by in situ ATR-FTIR. Upon increasing the temperature, a shift in the (C═O) band toward lower wavenumbers was observed together with the depletion of (O-H) stretching band due to the desorption of residual ethanol. We assign this shift to gradual redistribution of adsorbed DIBP from adsorption sites on the MgCl(2) (104) surface toward the more acidic MgCl(2) (110) surface. The morphologies of MgCl(2) and MgCl(2)/DIBP films were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealing a preferential orientation of ClMgCl layers (001) parallel to the lateral film dimensions. This orientation becomes more pronounced upon annealing. In the absence of donor, the MgCl(2) grow in to large crystals aligned in large domains upon annealing. Both crystal growth and alignment is impeded by the presence of donor.
Schuit Institute of Catalysis, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Ajin V
AV
Cheruvathur
Ernie H G
EH
Langner
J W Hans
JW
Niemantsverdriet
Peter C
PC
Thüne
D000327:Adsorption; D002384:Catalysis; D003993:Dibutyl Phthalate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D015636:Magnesium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010316:Particle Size; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013499:Surface Properties
D005030:Ethylenes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D015636:Magnesium Chloride; D003993:Dibutyl Phthalate; D000431:Ethanol; C025605:diisobutyl phthalate; D012825:Silicon