ABSTRACT:The synthesis of a poly(amic acid) (PAA)-supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst (PAA-TiCl 4 ) by the reaction of PAA and titanium tetrachloride (TiCl 4 ) is reported. For ethylene polymerization, three catalysts were synthesized by varying the TiCl 4 /PAA weight ratio in a hexane medium. The resulting catalysts were characterized by Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR), ultraviolet (UV), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray detector (SEM-EDX), and x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The acidity of the catalysts in an acetone/water solution was measured by a pH meter. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that catalysts are stable up to 110-125• C. Because of their higher degree of thermal stability, these catalysts may potentially be used as a support in a conventional Ziegler-Natta catalyst for ethylene polymerization. Furthermore, because of the extensive reaction between the functional groups of PAA and TiCl 4 , the chain structure of the PAA was destroyed. The newly synthesized catalysts showed good storability, and the Correspondence to: Swapan K. Dolui;