Description

Ziegler Natta Catalyst

Ziegler Natta Catalyst is used as it produces a variety of important polymers and is highly stereoselective. A Ziegler-Natta catalyst is a combination of titanium tetrachloride TiCl4TiCl4 and diethyl aluminium chloride Al(C2H5)3Al(C2H5)3.

There are two types of Ziegler-Natta catalysts used depending on their solubility:

• Heterogeneous catalysts
• Homogeneous catalysts

1. Heterogeneous catalysts: They are titanium-based compounds used in the polymerisation reactions of cocatalysts and organoaluminum (triethyl aluminium- which is industry dominated).
2. Homogeneous catalysts: Based on metals like titanium, zirconium or hafnium and used with different organoaluminium compounds as co-catalysts.

Associated Applications

The following are the applications of Ziegler-Natta catalyst

1. Used in the manufacture of high density and low density polyethylene.
2. To make carbon nanotubes.
3. Used to make thermoplastic polyolefins and polybutylene.

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