Effect of Mn doped-titania on the activity of metallocene catalyst by in situ ethylene polymerization

Ethylene polymerization was carried out using highly active metallocene catalysts (Cp2ZrCl2 and Cp2TiCl2) in combination with methylalumoxane. Titanium(IV) oxide containing 1% Mn as dopant was used as nanofillers. The influence of filler concentration, reaction temperature and pressure on the catalytic activity and polymer properties was investigated. There was a fourfold increase in the activity of zirconocene catalyst by addition of doped-titania. The morphology indicates that the doped-titania nanoparticles have a nucleus effect on the polymerization and caused a homogeneous PE shell around them. The optimum condition for polymerization was found to be 30 °C.