Design and synthesis of nano heterogeneous supported catalysts for olefin polymerization

Abstract

The polymerization of olefins was studied using heterogeneous cobalt nickel (oxide) bimetallic catalyst. The
prepared catalyst was subjected to calcination at different temperatures. This treatment results in the formation
of different phases with multiple oxidation states. The characterization of the catalyst was carried out by XRD,
SEM, EDX, TGA, FTIR and TPR/TPD. The catalytic activity was studied for the polymerization of butadiene gas
in toluene, n- hexane and ethanol in a Parr reactor system. The products obtained, were characterized by FTIR,
GC/MS, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, Laser Light Scattering (LLS) and GPC. The best activity was achieved on
the catalyst sample calcined at 1173 K in ethanol solvent. The product contains aliphatic and aromatic carbonyl
compounds and polybutadiene terminated by OH group. The GPC and LLS studies indicates that polydispersity
of the products are in the narrow range and high molecular weight product. The study reflects that the catalytic
reaction conditions, the calcinations temperatures which control the oxidation state, phase of the catalyst and
stability of the catalyst are mainly responsible for the change in products selectivity.