Process for Controlling Morphology of Ziegler-Natta Catalysts

Abstract

Disclosed is a process for making a Ziegler-Natta catalyst having controlled particle size and distribution. The process enables improved catalyst consistency regardless of production scale and customizing of catalyst morphology to desired polymer morphology. The novel catalyst components may be used to prepare polymers, and end-use articles therefrom, having desirable properties. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for making a Ziegler-Natta catalyst having controlled particle size and distribution comprising altering the precipitation of a catalyst component from a catalyst synthesis solution including a soluble catalyst precursor and a precipitating agent by controlling the concentration of:
 (1) the soluble catalyst precursor, wherein the average particle size of the catalyst component is increased, and the particle size distribution increased, with a decreased concentration of soluble catalyst precursor in the catalyst synthesis solution; and/or   (2) the precipitating agent, wherein the average particle size of the catalyst component is increased, and the particle size distribution is increased, with an increased concentration of the precipitating agent in the catalyst synthesis solution.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the altering of the precipitation of a catalyst component is done by controlling the concentration of (1) the soluble catalyst precursor. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the altering of the precipitation of a catalyst component is done by controlling the concentration of (2) the precipitating agent. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the altering of the precipitation of a catalyst component is done by controlling the concentration of both (1) the soluble catalyst precursor and (2) the precipitating agent. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the concentration of the soluble catalyst precursor is decreased by increasing the concentration of a diluent. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5  wherein the starting concentration of the soluble catalyst precursor is maintained at a level of less than about 40 wt. percent. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6  wherein the starting concentration of the soluble catalyst precursor is maintained at a level of less than about 30 wt. percent. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 6  wherein the starting concentration of the soluble catalyst precursor is maintained at a level of less than about 20 wt. percent. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 6  wherein the starting concentration of the soluble catalyst precursor is maintained at a level of less than about 15 wt. percent. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 6  wherein the starting concentration of the soluble catalyst precursor is maintained at a level of less than about 5 wt. percent. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the concentration of the precipitating agent is increased by adding more precipitating agent. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the concentration of the precipitating agent is increased to a level wherein the ratio of Ti to Metal is from about 0.5:1 to 6:1. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the concentration of the precipitating agent is increased to a level wherein the ratio of Ti to Metal is from about 2:1 to 5:1. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the concentration of the precipitating agent is increased to a level wherein the ratio of Ti to Metal is from about 2:5:1 to 3.5:1. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst component is prepared by reacting butylethyl magnesium and 2-ethylhexanol to form a magnesium dialkoxide, the magnesium dialkoxide is then reacted with ClTi(O i Pr) 3  to from a soluble catalyst precursor, and the soluble catalyst precursor is then reacted with a Ti(OBu)Cl 3 /Ti(OBu) 2 Cl 2  mixture to form a solid catalyst component. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the starting concentration of the soluble catalyst component is less than about 15 wt % prior to addition of the precipitating agent; or the concentration of the precipitating agent is greater than about 12 wt %. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the starting concentration of the soluble catalyst component is less than about 15 wt % prior to addition of the precipitating agent; and the concentration of the precipitating agent is greater than about 12 wt %. 
     
     
         18 . A Ziegler-Natta catalyst component prepared by the process of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A polymer prepared using the catalyst component of  claim 18 . 
     
     
         20 . An end-use article prepared from the polymer of  claim 19 . 
     
     
         21 . The end-use article of  claim 20  wherein the endues article is selected from the group consisting of films, fibers, pipe, textile material, feminine hygiene products, food packaging, grocery sacks, pressure rated pipes and the like.