POLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE USING ZIEGLER – NATTA CATALYST TYPE TICL4/MGCL2 – EB /ALET3

Abstract

In this study Ziegler – Natta catalyst was prepared which is a multi component catalytic system composed of, titaniumtetrachloride (TiCl4) as a active material, anhydrous magnesium chloride MgCl2 as support (carrier) which distribute the active material, ethyl benzoate EB as electron donor compound, and triethylaluminum (AlEt3) as co-catalyst ( promoter ). This catalyst used to product stereoregular polystyrene with high percent of isotactic isomer. The effect of triethylaluminum concentration on polymer yield was also studied and found that optimum concentration of AlEt3 in the polymerization mixture is 0.257 M, The kinetic study showed that the rate of polymerization decay with time because of decrease in catalyst activity. The values of isotacticity index showed that the isotacticity decrease with increase triethylaluminum concentration