Ziegler-Natta heterogeneous catalysis by first principles computer experiments

In this work we present a first attempt to study the polymerization process of ethylene in a realistic Ziegler-Natta heterogeneous system by means of first principles molecular dynamics. In particular, we simulate, in a very unbiased way, both the deposition of the catalyst TiCl4 on the (110) active surface of st solid MgCl2 support and the polymer chain formation. By using a constrained molecular dynamics approach, we work out the energetics and the reaction pathway of the polymerization process as it occurs in a laboratory or an industrial plant. The good agreement of the results of our simulations with the available experimental data indicates that these kinds of simulations can be used as a skilful approach to study the details of the reaction mechanism which are not accessible to experimental probes. This offers a tool to improve the production and/or to design reactants and products for practical use. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.