Nanocatalysts in Olefins and Dienes Polymerization Processes

Abstract

Sustainable development, the design of green and economically feasible processes to produce synthetic polymers is one of the major needs and biggest challenges. Catalysis of polymerization processes is among the most important applications within the field of nanoscience. Intensive research is being conducted and considerable success has been achieved in the heterogenization of various homogeneous catalysts on nano supports for polymerization of olefins and dienes. The large surface area of various nanomaterials qualifies them quite naturally to act either as a heterogeneous promoter for catalytic reactions or as a support for the heterogenization of homogeneous catalysts. To the polymerization of olefins and dienes by using nanocatalysts are devoted significant numbers of published papers, but to elucidate the possible effect of both the type and properties of nano supports and their sizes and amounts on the activity and stereoselectivity of heterogenized catalysts and the properties of the obtained polymers are needed more detailed studies. This review attempted to collect some published research materials in the field of the nanocatalysis of olefins and dienes polymerization processes and our main aim is to assess the critical points and to indicate the future perspectives and possible strategies in this area of research. We are confident that this review will be a helpful companion and deliver key hints to those, in academia and in the industry, who decide to move their research interest in this direction.