A planar CrOx/SiO2/Si(100) model for the Phillips ethylene polymerization c
atalyst has been prepared by spincoat impregnation from an aqueous solution
of CrO3. The model catalyst polymerizes ethylene from the gas phase at 160
degrees C with a constant activity and forms a 400 nm thick layer of polye
thylene in 1 h. The superior definition of the polymer films produced on th
is catalyst and the control over the distribution of active sites on its fl
at surface make this model catalyst an ideal substrate for kinetic studies
on catalytic polymerization and for morphologic studies of the polymer prod
uct by scanning force microscopy. At extremely low catalyst loading we obse
rve isolated polymer islands formed on single chromium sites. The work also
opens attractive opportunities for future studies of nascent morphology of
catalytically formed polymers.