Direct observation of MgCl2-supported Ziegler catalysts by high resolutiontransmission electron microscopy

The surface atomic structure of MgCl2 crystalline particles and MgCl2-suppo rted Ziegler catalysts was observed by means of high resolution transmissio n electron microscopy. Step-terrace surface structures, characteristic of t he structure of the MgCl2 crystal, are found in the observed images of MgCl 2 particles. The observation of the structure of MgCl2-supported Ziegler ca talysts shows that the MgCl2 crystals are severely deformed by the processe s of catalyst preparation. Due to the preparation procedure used the struct ure of the catalyst changes from crystalline to amorphous.