Thermal decomposition and kinetics studies on the 2,2-dinitropropyl acrylate–styrene copolymer and 2,2-dinitropropyl acrylate–vinyl acetate copolymer

In the present work, kinetics of thermal decomposition of 2,2-dinitropropyl acrylate–styrene copolymer (DNPA/St) and 2,2-dinitropropyl acrylate–vinyl acetate copolymer (DNPA/VAc) was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The influence of the heating rate (5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min^?1) on the DSC behavior of the copolymer was verified. The results showed that, as the heating rate was increased, decomposition temperature of the copolymer was increased. Also, the kinetic parameters such as activation energy and frequency factor of the copolymer were obtained from the DSC data by the isoconversional methods proposed by Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO). Average activation energy obtained by KAS and FWO methods for the thermal decomposition reaction of DNPA/St and DNPA/VAc are 157.38 ± 0.27 and 147.67 ± 0.57 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The rate constants for thermal decomposition calculated from the activation parameters showed the structural dependency. The relative stability of two copolymers under 50 °C was in this order: DNPA/St > DNPA/VAc. The results of thermogravimetry (TG) analysis revealed that the main mass changes for DNPA/St and DNPA/VAc occurred in the temperature ranges of 200–270 °C. The DSC-FTIR analysis of DNPA/St indicates that the band intensity of nitro and other groups increased haphazardly from 230 °C due to thermal decomposition.     

Thermal and kinetic analyses of 2,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole

Thermal behavior and UV–Vis absorption properties of 2,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole were investigated in the present study. It was found that decomposition occurs in two stages which correspond to removal of both phenolic rings and degradation of remaining core structure, respectively. After the characterization of decomposition stages, apparent activation energy values of each stage were calculated using model-free isoconversional methods (FWO and KAS). Apparent activation energies of decomposition stages are determined by both methods. Their averages are calculated as 98.232 and 123.253 kJ mol^?1 in consecutive order. UV–Vis absorption properties of this compound have been determined with using different solvents.     

Kinetic analysis for non-isothermal decomposition of un-irradiated and gamma-irradiated potassium bromate

The thermal decomposition of un-irradiated and gamma-irradiated potassium bromate (KBrO₃) was performed under non-isothermal conditions at different heating rates (5, 10, 15 and 20 K min^?1). The data was analysed using isoconversional and non-isoconversional methods. The kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition process were obtained by three model-free isoconversional methods: Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose and Friedman. Irradiation enhances the decomposition and the effect increases with the irradiation dose. The activation energy decreases on irradiation. Kinetic analysis of data in view of various solid-state reaction models showed that the decomposition of un-irradiated and irradiated anhydrous KBrO₃ is best described by the Avrami–Erofeev model equation, [?ln(l?α)]^1/2 = kt.     

Thermal behavior and kinetic modeling of (NH4)4UO2(CO3)3 decomposition under non-isothermal conditions

The thermal behavior and kinetic analysis of ammonium uranyl carbonate decomposition has been studied in inert gas, O₂, and 90%Ar–10%H₂ atmospheres under non-isothermal conditions. The results showed a dependence on specific surface area with the decomposition temperature of ammonium uranyl tri-carbonate (AUC). Specific surface area increases and reaches a maximum between 300 and 400 °C and decreases at T > 400 °C. The reaction paths of AUC decomposition under the three atmospheres were proposed. The integral methods Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) were used for the kinetic analysis. The activation energy averages are 58.01 and 56.19 kJ/mol by KAS and FWO methods, respectively.

     

Thermal behavior of coffee oil (Robusta and Arabica species)

Coffee seeds are a source for obtaining oil which is used in the candy, soluble coffee, and cosmetics industries. The main purpose of this study was the investigation of the lipid profile and thermal behavior of the roasted and in nature coffee oil of Arabica and Robusta species, using thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, derivative thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and modulated DSC. Details concerning the thermal decomposition as well as data of the kinetic parameters have been described here. The kinetic studies were evaluated from several heating rates with a sample mass of 10 mg in open crucible under nitrogen atmospheres. The obtained data were evaluated with the isoconversional kinetic method, where the values of activation energy (E _a/kJ mol^?1) were evaluated in function of the conversion degree (α). In addition, this oil was evaluated by modulated DSC from 25 to ?60 °C, where the transition phase behavior was verified.     

Synthesis, thermal analysis, and spectroscopic and structural characterizations of zinc(II) complexes with salicylaldehydes

In this study, three new zinc(II) complexes with 5-substituted salicylaldehyde ligands (X-saloH) (X = 5-chloro, 5-nitro and 5-methyl) with the general formula [Zn(X-salo)₂(CH₃OH)n], (n = 0 or 2) were synthesized. An octahedral geometry was found for both the complexes [Zn(5-NO₂-salo)₂(CH₃OH)₂] and [Zn(5-Cl-salo)₂(CH₃OH)₂] by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. These complexes were characterized also by spectroscopy (IR and ¹H-NMR). Simultaneous TG/DTG–DTA techniques were used to analyze their thermal behavior under inert atmosphere, with particular attention to determine their thermal degradation pathways, which was found to be a multi-step decomposition accompanied by the release of the ligand molecules. Finally, the kinetic analysis of the decomposition processes was performed by applying both the isoconversional Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW) and the Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) methods.     

Thermal degradation kinetics study and thermal cracking of waste cooking oil for biofuel production

Thermal cracking of waste cooking oil (WCO) for production of liquid fuel has gained special interest due to the growing demand of renewable fuel, depleting fossil fuel reserves and environmental issues. In the present work, thermal cracking of WCO to produce liquid hydrocarbon fuels without any preprocessing has been studied. Moreover, non-isothermal kinetics of WCO using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) has been studied under an inert atmosphere at various heating rates. According to TGA result, active thermal decomposition of WCO was found to be between 318 and 500 °C. Furthermore, the temperature at which the maximum mass loss rate attained was shifted to higher values as the heating rates increased from 10 to 50 °C min^?1 and the values were found to be approximately similar to that of R ₅₀. Besides, model-free iso-conversion kinetic methods such as Friedman (FM), Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) were used to determine the activation energies of WCO degradation. The average activation energy for the thermal degradation of WCO was found to be 243.7, 211.23 and 222 kJ mol^?1 for FM, KAS and FWO kinetic methods, respectively. Additionally, the cracking of WCO was studied in a semi-batch reactor under an inert atmosphere and the influences of cracking temperature, time and heating rates on product distribution were investigated. From the reaction, an optimum yield of 72 mass% was obtained at a temperature of 475 °C, time of 180 min and a heating rate of 10 °C min^?1. The physicochemical properties studied were in accordance with ASTM standards.     

Thermosetting polymers from epoxy resin and a Nickel catalyst of diethylenetriamine

The kinetics and mechanism of cure reaction of DGEBA using a chelate of Ni(II) with diethylenetriamine (dien), Ni(dien)₂I_2, as a curing agent was studied by DSC. TG curve of the complex curing agent showed mass loss in two region of temperature: 200–320 and 450–550 °C. Dynamic DSC measurements showed only one exothermic peak with a maximum about 250 °C depending on the heating rate. According to the methods of KAS and Ozawa–Flynn–Wall the values of E _a were 92.5 and 96.2 kJ/mol, respectively. The isoconversional kinetic analysis in whole range of conversion, α = 0.02–0.95, showed small changes in the E _a values in the region of α = 0.04–0.6 and most likely represent some average values (E _a = 110 kJ/mol) between the values of E _a of non-autocatalyzed and autocatalyzed reactions. Using the sole dependence of E _a on α, the time required to reach fully cured materials under isothermal conditions were also predicted and compared with the experimental results.     

The investigation of methyl phenyl silicone resin/epoxy resin using epoxy-polysiloxane as compatibilizer

Styrene–butadiene rubber was subjected to long-term thermal aging treatment at 80 °C with aging period up to 180 days. The degradation kinetics of the aged sample was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis. Multiple heating rate experiments were carried out in nonisothermal conditions and three isoconversional model-free methods (Friedman; Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose; Li and Tang methods) were employed. The results showed that the temperature for 5 % mass loss increased, whereas the maximum mass loss temperature decreased after aging. Activation energies (E _a) derived from the three methods were found to be dependent on conversion degree (α). E _a increased with increasing α in the whole range of conversion for samples aged for 0, 60, and 120 days, while the aged samples displayed higher E _a values. However, samples aged for 180 days showed declining E _a versus α. The changes on the degradation kinetics were associated with the modification on the chemical structure after thermal aging.     

Mechanism and kinetics of thermal degradation of insulating materials developed from cellulose fiber and fire retardants

The mechanism and kinetics of thermal degradation of materials developed from cellulose fiber and synergetic fire retardant or expandable graphite have been investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The model-free methods such as Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), Friedman, and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) were applied to measure apparent activation energy (E_α). The increased E_α indicated a greater thermal stability because of the formation of a thermally stable char, and the decreased E_α after the increasing region related to the catalytic reaction of the fire retardants, which revealed that the pyrolysis of fire retardant-containing cellulosic materials through more complex and multi-step kinetics. The Friedman method can be considered as the best method to evaluate the E_α of fire-retarded cellulose thermal insulation compared with the KAS and FWO methods. A master-plots method such as the Criado method was used to determine the possible degradation mechanisms. The degradation of cellulose thermal insulation without a fire retardant is governed by a D3 diffusion process when the conversion value is below 0.6, but the materials containing synergetic fire retardant and expandable graphite fire retardant may have a complicated reaction mechanism that fits several proposed theoretical models in different conversion ranges. Gases released during the thermal degradation were identified by pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Fire retardants could catalyze the dehydration of cellulosic thermal insulating materials at a lower temperature and facilitate the generation of furfural and levoglucosenone, thus promoting the formation of char. These results provide useful information to understand the pyrolysis and fire retardancy mechanism of fire-retarded cellulose thermal insulation.

     

Application of isoconversional calculation procedure to non-isothermal kinetics study

The kinetics of thermal decomposition of NH₄CuPO₄·H₂O was studied using isoconversional calculation procedure. The iterative isoconversional procedure was applied to estimate the apparent activation energy E _a; the values of apparent activation energies associated with the first stage (dehydration), the second stage (deamination), and the third stage(condensation) for the thermal decomposition of NH₄CuPO₄·H₂O were determined to be 117.7 ± 7.7, 167.9 ± 8.4, and 217.6 ± 45.5 kJ mol^?1, respectively, which demonstrate that the third stage is a kinetically complex process, and the first and second stages are single-step kinetic processes and can be described by a unique kinetic triplet [E _a, A, g(α)]. A new modified method of the multiple rate iso-temperature was used to define the most probable mechanism g(α) of the two stages; and reliability of the used method for the determination of the kinetic mechanism were tested by the comparison between experimental plot and model results for every heating rate. The results show that the mechanism functions of the two stages are reliable. The pre-exponential factor A of the two stages was obtained on the basis of E _a and g(α). Besides, the thermodynamic parameters (ΔS ^≠, ΔH ^≠, and ΔG ^≠) of the two stages were also calculated.     

Thermal deamination kinetics of tris(ethylenediamine)nickel(II) sulphate in the solid-state

Thermogravimetric techniques have been used to study the kinetics of thermal deamination of tris(ethylenediamine)nickel(II) sulphate. The complex was synthesized and characterized by various chemical and spectral techniques. Thermal decomposition studies were carried at different heating rates (5, 10, 15 and 20°C min⁻¹) in dynamic air. The complex undergoes a four-stage decomposition pattern. The stages are not well resolved. Decomposition path can be interpreted as a two-stage deamination, and a two-stage decomposition. Reaction products at each stage were separated and identified by means of IR and XRD. The morphology of the complex and the residue were studied by means of SEM. Final residue of the decomposition was found to be crystalline NiO. The deamination kinetics was studied using model-free isoconversional methods viz., Friedman, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) methods. It is observed that the activation energy varies with the extent of conversion; indicating the complex nature of the deamination reaction.     

Thermal and kinetic analysis of uranium salts

The thermal decomposition kinetics of UO₂C₂O₄·3H₂O were studied by TG method in a flowing nitrogen, air, and oxygen atmospheres. It is found that UO₂C₂O₄·3H₂O decomposes to uranium oxides in four stages in all atmosphere. The first two stages are the same in the whole atmosphere that correspond to dehydration reactions. The last two stages correspond to decomposition reactions. Final decomposition products are determined with X-Ray powder diffraction method. Decomposition mechanisms are different in nitrogen atmosphere from air and oxygen atmosphere. The activation energies of all reactions were calculated by model-free (KAS and FWO) methods. For investigation of reaction models, 13 kinetic model equations were tested and correct models, giving the highest linear regression, lowest standard deviation, and agreement of activation energy value to those obtained from KAS and FWO equations were found. The optimized value of activation energy and Arrhenius factor were calculated with the best model equation. Using these values, thermodynamic functions (??H ^*, ??S ^*, and ??G ^*) were calculated.     

Investigation of curing kinetics of epoxy resin/novel nanoclay–carbon nanotube hybrids by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry

Chemical hybrid of nanoclay (NC)/carbon nanotube (CNT) was synthesized via growth of CNTs by chemical vapor deposition. The cure kinetics of epoxy resin in the presence of novel chemical hybrid of NC/CNT (CNC) was studied by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of the CNC on cure kinetics was compared with conventional nanofillers such as CNTs, NC, and physical mixture of them (PNC). The kinetic parameters of the cure reaction were determined by iso-conversional method. The accelerating effect of CNT, CNC, and PNC in initial stage of cure reaction was related to the high thermal conductivity of CNTs, while the decelerating effect of nanofillers as the cure proceeded can be attributed to the reduction of polymer molecules motion caused by enhanced viscosity. The apparent activation energy (E _α) as the function of conversion (α) was calculated by five methods categorized into two different types: (1) conversion-dependent methods: Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW), and Friedman; (2) conversion-independent methods: Kissinger and Augis. The accelerating effect of CNT, PNC, and CNC was observable as the reduced E _α values in low conversion only with KAS and OFW methods. The reverse trend of E _α values was observed with the introduction of these nanofillers at high conversions. The uniqueness of the CNC was more marked in increasing E _α values of epoxy after initial stage due to its special 3D structure of CNC. Calculated data using KAS and OFW methods showed the best agreement with the obtained experimental data.     

Synthesis and thermal behavior of gem-dinitro valerylated polystyrene

Commercial polystyrene has been chemically modified with 4,4-dinitro valeryl chloride by use of Friedel–Crafts acylation reaction in the presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride in a mixture of 1,2-dichloroethane and nitrobenzene. The modified polystyrene containing –COCH₂CH₂C(NO₂)₂CH₃ fragments in side phenyl rings, named gem-dinitro valerylated polystyrene (GDN-PS), was characterized by an Ubbelohde’s viscometer, FTIR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Simultaneous thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) have been used to study thermal behavior of the polymer. The results of TG analysis revealed that the main thermal degradation for the GDN-PS occurs during two temperature ranges of 200–300 and 300–430 °C. The DTA curve of GDN-PS is showing a visible exothermic peak at 253.8 °C corresponding to the decomposition of gem-dinitro valeryl groups. The decomposition kinetic of the gem-dinitro groups for GDN-PS with degree of substitution (DS) 11 % was studied by non-isothermal DSC under various heating rates. Kinetic parameters such as activation energy and frequency factor for thermal decomposition of GDN-PS with DS 11 % were evaluated via the ASTM E698 and two isoconversional methods.     

Synthesis,thermal decomposition and dielectric behavior of bis(thiourea)silver(I)nitrate

New semi-organic bis(thiourea)silver(I)nitrate (TuAgN) single crystals have been grown from slow evaporation solution growth technique. Single crystal X-ray diffraction study reveals that the crystal belongs to orthorhombic system with the non-centrosymmetric space group C2221 and the calculated cell parameters are a = 33.3455 (6) Å, b = 45.2957 (7) Å, c = 20.3209 (5) Å, α = β = γ = 90°, and V = 30692.8 (10) Å ³. The thermal stability and decomposition behavior of TuAgN compound have been studied by thermogravimetric analysis at three different heating rates 5, 10, and 15 °C min^?1. The effective activation energy (E _a) and pre-exponential factor (ln A) of thermal decomposition of thiourea from TuAgN compound at three different heating rates are estimated by model free methods: Arrhenius, Flynn–Wall, Kissinger, and Kim–Park. The calculated effective activation energies were found to vary with the fraction (α) reacted. The compensation effect between the (ln A) and (E _a) has also been studied. Dielectric properties of TuAgN crystal have been studied in a wide range of frequencies and temperatures. AC conductivity has also been carried out.     

Synthesis and isoconversional kinetic study of the formation of LiNiPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> from Ni<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>·8H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O as a new precursor

The nanosized LiNiPO₄ was successfully synthesized by a solid-state reaction between the new Ni₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O precursor and Li₃PO₄ at 700 °C in air atmosphere. The formation of LiNiPO₄ was generated via three thermal decomposition steps. The samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic absorption/atomic emission spectrophotometers, and thermogravimetric/differential thermal gravimetric/differential thermal analysis techniques. The activation energy (E_α) values of the three steps were calculated by Vyazovkin method and determined to be 90.39?±?5.79, 197.81?±?7.46, and 308.66?±?12.03 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The average E_α values from this method are very close to E_α from KAS method. The most probable mechanism functions g(α) of three steps were evaluated by using the masterplots method and found to be the F_1/3 (first step), F_3/2 (second step), and D₄ (final step), respectively. The pre-exponential factors (A) values of three steps were obtained based on the E_α and g(α). The kinetic triplet parameters of the formation of LiNiPO₄ from the new precursor are reported in the first time.     

Synthesis,thermal analysis,and spectroscopic and structural characterizations of tetranuclear nickel(II) cubane-type clusters with 2-hydroxybenzaldehydes or 2-hydroxyphenones

In this study, three novel tetranuclear nickel(II) cubane-type clusters with the general formula [Ni₄(L)₄(μ₃-CH₃O)₄(CH₃OH)₄] [L: the anion of 5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (1), 2-hydroxypropiophenone (2), and 2-hydroxybenzophenone (3)] were synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal structure of each compound contains a tetranuclear cubane core [Ni₄O₄] based on an approximately cubic array of altering nickel and oxygen atoms with intracluster metal–metal separations of 3.04–3.14 Å. Each Ni(II) atom is surrounded by two oxygen atoms from the ligand (L) and by the μ₃-CH₃O oxygen atom that bridges three Ni atoms of the cubane core. The coordination sphere of Ni is completed with one methanol molecule and making six-coordinate with a distorted octahedral geometry. These complexes were characterized also by spectroscopy (IR and UV–Vis). Simultaneous TG/DTG–DTA techniques were used to analyze their thermal behavior under inert atmosphere, with particular attention to determine their thermal degradation pathways, which was found to be a multi-step decomposition accompanied by the release of the ligand molecules. Finally, the kinetic analysis of the decomposition processes was performed for the first step of complex (3), since only this verifies the requirement of applying an isoconversional method like Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS). For this step, we found the average value E _a = 107.8 ± 4.5 kJ mol^?1.     

Non-isothermal kinetic study on the decomposition of Zn acetate-based sol-gel precursor

The paper presents a non-isothermal kinetic study of the decomposition of Zn acetate-based gel precursors for ZnO thin films, based on the thermogravimetric (TG) data. The evaluation of the dependence of the activation energy (E) on the mass loss (Δm) using the isoconversional methods (Friedman (FR), Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS)) has been presented in a previous paper. It was obtained that the sample dried at 125°C for 8 h exhibits the activation energy independent on the heating rate for the second decomposition step. In this paper the invariant kinetic parameter (IKP) method is used for evaluating the invariant activation parameters, which were used for numerically evaluation of the function of conversion. The value of the invariant activation energy is in a good agreement with those determined by isoconversional methods. In order to determine the kinetic model, IKP method was associated with the criterion of coincidence of the kinetic parameters for all heating rates. Finally, the following kinetic triplet was obtained: E=91.7 (±0.1) kJ mol⁻¹, lnA(s⁻¹)=16.174 (±0.020) and F1 kinetic model.