Influence of Poisons Originating from Chemically Recycled Plastic Waste on the Performance of Ziegler–Natta Catalysts. Issue 1 (12th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pernusch, Daniel Christian; Spiegel, Gunnar; Paulik, Christian; Hofer, Wolfgang
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular reaction engineering. Volume 16:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-09-12
• Subjects: catalyst poisoning -- chemical recycling -- microstructural modeling -- polyethylene (PE) -- Ziegler–Natta catalyst; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Reaction mechanisms (Chemistry) -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/mren.202100020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1862-832X

Abstract

Abstract: Chemically recycled monomer feed streams from postconsumer plastic packaging waste are expected to contain impurities that act as catalyst poisons. This work investigates the impact of such impurities on a commercial fourth‐generation Ziegler–Natta catalyst system. A recycled monomer feed stream in two different procedures by adding representative catalyst poisons (pyridine and n ‐butanol) in various quantities to the reactor setup is simulated. Measuring catalyst activity and molecular weight distribution (MWD) and performing kinetic and MWD deconvolution modeling, the impact of the catalyst poisons on polymer product properties at the microstructural level is evaluated. The results demonstrate that, beyond a certain concentration (120 ppm), catalyst poisons have a substantial impact on the activity levels of the catalyst system tested. MWD deconvolution modeling shows an influence of the poisons on the composition of the resulting polymer product in the form of a shift toward lower or higher molecular weights (depending on the procedure). This microstructural analysis highlights the importance of purifying chemically recycled monomer feed streams. Abstract : Chemical recycling of postconsumer plastic waste represents a potential path for industry towards a more sustainable future. One challenge along this path are expected impurities, which can act as catalyst poisons for olefin polymerization of recycled monomer feed streams. This study focuses on the catalyst poison impact on a commercial ZieglerNatta catalyst system and its resulting polymer properties.