Stereospecific Ziegler−Natta Model Catalysts Produced by Electron Beam-Induced Deposition of TiCl4: Deposition Kinetics, Film Structure, and Surface Structure

Joint experimental and theoretical study on electron scattering from titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) molecule

Absolute grand-total cross section for electron scattering from titanium tetrachloride, TiCl₄, molecule was measured at electron-impact energies ranging from 0.3 to 300 eV, in the linear electron-transmission experiment. The elastic integral, differential, momentum transfer, and total ionization cross sections for TiCl₄ molecule were also calculated for low and intermediate collisional energies at the level of various theories. The low-energy elastic integral, differential, and momentum transfer cross sections were calculated with the Schwinger multichannel method implemented with pseudopotentials, in the static-exchange and static-exchange plus polarization levels of approximation, for energies up to 30 eV. The integral cross section calculated for low-energy electron scattering with the R-matrix method within the static-exchange and static-exchange plus polarization approximations for energies up to 15 eV are also reported. By the inspection of the cross sections, the presence of resonances is discussed. In particular, the calculated integral cross sections and the measured total cross section display a minimum at around 1 eV, which is consistent with the presence of a Ramsauer-Townsend minimum and a sharp increase at low energies, which is consistent with the presence of a virtual state. Additionally, interactions in elastic and ionization channels for intermediate collision energies were investigated with the additivity rule and the binary-encounter-Bethe methods.

9-fluorenemethanol: an internal electron donor to fine tune olefin polymerization activity

A new MgCl2 based molecular adduct has been synthesized with 9-fluorenemethanol (9FM) as a novel internal electron donor (IED), along with ethanol (EtOH) (MgCl2·n9FM·xEtOH). The above molecular adduct has been subjected to a variety of structural, spectroscopic and morphological characterization techniques. The results of the solid state (13)C CPMAS NMR technique suggests the coordination of 9FM to MgCl2. Observation of a low angle diffraction peak at 2θ = 5.7° (d = 15.5 Å) underscores the coordination of 9FM along the z-axis, and ethanol in the molecular adduct. Active Ziegler-Natta catalysts were prepared by two different synthesis methods; the conventional method to obtain a high surface area active catalyst, and other one with 9FM as an integral part of the active catalyst in order to study the influence of 9FM as an IED over the active sites. The active catalysts were also characterized thoroughly with different analytical tools. The XRD results show (003) facets of δ-MgCl2 (α-MgCl2) for the conventional (non-conventional) titanated catalyst. Results of the ethylene polymerization activity study reveals that the conventionally prepared highly porous active catalyst shows 1.7-2.5 times higher activity than the non-conventional prepared catalyst; however, the latter shows a low molecular weight distribution and confirms the role of the Lewis base as an IED.

Solid-State NMR investigations of a MgCl2·4(CH3)2CHCH2OH molecular adduct: a peculiar case of reversible equilibrium between two phases

MgCl2·xROH molecular adducts are extensively employed as a support material for Ziegler-Natta polyolefin catalysis. However, their structural properties are not well understood. Recently, we reported on the preparation of an isobutanol adduct, MgCl2·4(CH3)2CHCH2OH (MgiBuOH) ( Dalton Trans. 2012 , 41 , 11311 ), which is very sensitive to the preparation conditions, such as the temperature and refluxing time. For the present study, the structural properties of MgiBuOH adducts prepared under different conditions have been investigated thoroughly by solid-state NMR and nonambient XRD. Formation of two phases has been confirmed, and in situ variable temperature solid-state NMR measurements confirm the coexistence of two phases as well as the oscillation from one to another phase. It is expected that such molecular adducts could have a significant role in organic transformation reactions due to an oscillating structural component. An understanding of phase oscillation with the Mg(2+) ion as the central metal ion might shed some light toward understanding various biological and structural functions.

In situ ATR-FTIR studies on MgCl2-diisobutyl phthalate interactions in thin film Ziegler-Natta catalysts

To study the surface structure of MgCl(2) support and its interaction with other active components in Ziegler-Natta catalyst, such as electron donors, we prepared a thin film analogue for Ziegler-Natta ethylene polymerization catalyst support by spin-coating a solution of MgCl(2) in ethanol, optionally containing a diester internal donor (diisobutyl-ortho-phthalate, DIBP) on a flat Si crystal surface. The donor content of these films was quantified by applying attenuated total internal reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Changes in the interaction of DIBP with MgCl(2) at various temperatures were monitored by in situ ATR-FTIR. Upon increasing the temperature, a shift in the (C═O) band toward lower wavenumbers was observed together with the depletion of (O-H) stretching band due to the desorption of residual ethanol. We assign this shift to gradual redistribution of adsorbed DIBP from adsorption sites on the MgCl(2) (104) surface toward the more acidic MgCl(2) (110) surface. The morphologies of MgCl(2) and MgCl(2)/DIBP films were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealing a preferential orientation of ClMgCl layers (001) parallel to the lateral film dimensions. This orientation becomes more pronounced upon annealing. In the absence of donor, the MgCl(2) grow in to large crystals aligned in large domains upon annealing. Both crystal growth and alignment is impeded by the presence of donor.

Creating pure nanostructures from electron-beam-induced deposition using purification techniques: a technology perspective

The creation of functional nanostructures by electron-beam-induced deposition (EBID) is becoming more widespread. The benefits of the technology include fast 'point-and-shoot' creation of three-dimensional nanostructures at predefined locations directly within a scanning electron microscope. One significant drawback to date has been the low purity level of the deposition. This has two independent causes: (1) partial or incomplete decomposition of the precursor molecule and (2) contamination from the residual chamber gas. This frequently limits the functionality of the structure, hence it is desirable to improve the decomposition and prevent the inclusion of contaminants. In this contribution we review and compare for the first time all the techniques specifically aimed at purifying the as-deposited impure EBID structures. Despite incomplete and scattered data, we observe some general trends: application of heat (during or after deposition) is usually beneficial to some extent; working in a favorable residual gas (ultra-high vacuum set-ups or plasma cleaning the chamber) is highly recommended; gas mixing approaches are extremely variable and not always reproducible between research groups; and carbon-free precursors are promising but tend to result in oxygen being the contaminant species rather than carbon. Finally we highlight a few novel approaches.

Surface science of single-site heterogeneous olefin polymerization catalysts

This article reviews the surface science of the heterogeneous olefin polymerization catalysts. The specific focus is on how to prepare and characterize stereochemically specific heterogeneous model catalysts for the Ziegler-Natta polymerization. Under clean, ultra-high vacuum conditions, low-energy electron irradiation during the chemical vapor deposition of model Ziegler-Natta catalysts can be used to create a "single-site" catalyst film with a surface structure that produces only isotactic polypropylene. The polymerization activities of the ultra-high vacuum-prepared model heterogeneous catalysts compare well with those of conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyses identify the oxidation states of the Ti ions at the active sites. Temperature-programmed desorption distinguishes the binding strength of a probe molecule to the active sites that produce polypropylenes having different tacticities. These findings demonstrate that a surface science approach to the preparation and characterization of model heterogeneous catalysts can improve the catalyst design and provide fundamental understanding of the single-site olefin polymerization process.

Formation of High-Stress Phase and Extrusion of Polyethylene due to Nanoconfinements during Ziegler−Natta Polymerization Inside Nanochannels

Polyethylene nanofibers were synthesized by heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta polymerization inside nanochannels of robust anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes. The polymerization catalysts were chemisorbed at the inner wall of the nanochannels and monomers were provided through diffusion from the outside. Polyethylene is produced inside the nanochannels in the 10-20 mum region from the channel entrance. Polyethylene fibers were extruded from the nanochannels up to 3-5 mum during the polymerization. X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared analyses indicated formation of a highly stressed crystalline structure although the polymerization was carried out without any external pressure or mechanical work. The highly stressed phase formation inside nanochannels and some degree of polyethylene nanofiber extrusion from nanochannels were attributed to catalytic production of excess amounts of polyethylene inside nanoconfined templates.