Visualization of local ethylene polymerization activity on a flat CrOx/SiO2/Si(100) model catalyst

Flat model catalysts give access to fundamental aspects of olefin polymerization over heterogeneous catalysts. They are especially suited for the investigation on the early stages of polymer film growth employing scanning probe and electron microscopy. The polymerization centers are confined to a well defined two dimensional plane that remains constant during the polymerization. Using the Phillips (CrO x /SiO2) catalyst as an example we demonstrate how this approach can be used do visualize the lateral distribution of polymerization activity in the initial stages of polymer growth