Structure-performance relationship of Mg(OEt)2-based Ziegler-Natta catalysts

A multivariate aspect has hampered the clarification of structure-performance relationships in heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta olefin polymerization catalysis. Here, 16 catalyst samples were prepared using Mg(OEt)2 support precursors with different particle architectures. They were fingerprinted based on a series of characterization and analytical methods. In a pairwise correlation analysis, none of structural features (such as particle size and pore volume) exhibited a clear correlation with ethylene polymerization performance. However, compound features created among different structural features reasonably reproduced the ethylene polymerization activity as well as 1-hexene incorporation efficiency, where a negative influence of pores with the size below 10 nm was dictated.