Particle Growth During the Polymerisation of Olefins on Supported Catalysts, 1 - Nascent Polymer Structures

It is shown that the relationship between the catalyst/polymer structure, process conditions and final product properties needs to be addressed in more detail. From an industrial point of view, the interest starts from the need to control the growth of the catalyst/polymer particle during the polymerisation process. This first part of a two‐part review discusses the different factors that can influence the physical properties of the nascent polymer, and how these can impact the evolution of particle morphology. In this first part of a two‐part review the physical nature of nascent polyolefins produced on supported catalysts is examined. Typical engineering treatment of polyolefin production assumes that nascent polymer (i.e., that made during the fragmentation and initial particle formation steps) has the same physical properties as the polymer produced after several hours and withdrawn from the reactor. This review shows that this is not so, and goes in to discuss how the inherent differences between the nascent and final polymer can have an impact on particle formation and growth.