Propane polymerization with silica-supported metallocene/MAO catalysts

The polymerization of propene on silica-supported metallocene catalysts is studied using electron microscopy. The propylene growth on silica-supported metallocene catalysts are described by a particle growth model. This model is applied for mathematical simulation of the polymerization process. The polymerizations are carried out in liquid monomer to confirm that at low temperatures, the model holds for the relevant mass polymerization. It is possible to eliminate the induction period by adding small amounts of gaseous hydrogen to the propene polymerization under retention of the polymer morphology. A radioactive label method is investigated to determine the degree of distribution of a metallocene catalyst despite its low concentration on the support.