The preparation of nanosized polyethylene particles via carbon sphere nanotemplates

A novel type of nano template was prepared by loading a Ziegler–Natta catalyst on nanosized carbon spheres for ethylene polymerization to form nanosized polyethylene (PE) particles; triethylaluminum (AlEt3) was used as a co-catalyst. The results revealed that the nano templates were spherical and their average diameter was ∼180 nm. The nano template had a high titanium content of 4.5 wt %, determined by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectroscopy and high catalytic activity (up to 7.68 × 105 gPE/((mol Ti) h) for ethylene polymerization. Polyethylene particles 310 nm in diameter were obtained. The morphology of the polymer particles was spherical and the size distribution is uniform, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).