Polyethylene synthesis using zeolite as support for metallocene catalyst

Zeolite sodic mordenite was evaluated as support for bis(cyclopentadienyl) zirconium dichloride catalyst in the synthesis of polyethylene. The zeolite was calcinated at 300°C under heating rate of 2°C/min before treatment with methylaluminoxane (MAO) and Cp2ZrCl2 solutions. The supported catalysts were prepared under different conditions of Cp2ZrCl2 impregnation temperature and MAO and Cp2ZrCl2 concentrations. The performance of the heterogeneous catalyst systems was evaluated in terms of polymerization activities and the characteristics of the produced polyethylene. Although not expected, it was observed in this work that high amounts of zirconium incorporated on the support leaded to catalysts with lower catalyst activity. The obtained polyethylene with these supported catalysts presented very high molecular weights.