Kinetics of thermal degradation of poly(-caprolactone)

The thermal degradation/modification dynamics of poly(-caprolactone) (PCL) was investigated in a thermogravimetric analyzer under non-isothermal and isothermal conditions. The time evolution of the molecular weight distribution during degradation was studied using gel permeation chromatography. Experimental molecular weight evolution and weight loss profile were modeled using continuous distribution kinetics. The degradation exhibited distinctly different behavior under non-isothermal and isothermal heating. Under non-isothermal heating, the mass of the polymer remained constant at initial stages with rapid degradation at longer times. The Friedman and Chang methods of analysis showed a 3-fold change (from 18 to 55–62 kcal mol⁻¹) in the activation energy from low temperatures to high temperatures during degradation. This suggested the governing mechanism changes during degradation and was explained using two parallel mechanisms (random chain scission and specific chain end scission) without invoking the sequential reaction mechanisms. Under isothermal heating, the polymer degraded by pure unzipping of specific products from the chain end.     

Thermal degradation of a styrenated unsatured polyester resin

The isothermal and non-isothermal degradation of a typical styrenated phthalic acid-maleic acid-propylene glycol polyester were measured. Non-isothermal and isothermal kinetic analyses were performed on the various degradation steps observed. The values of the non-isothermal and the isothermal kinetic parameters are in good agreement.     

Novel theoretical and computer-assisted modeling of isothermal and non-isothermal depolymerization kinetics

A novel kinetic model accounting for the observed asymptotic approach of the degree of polymerization (DP) to a limiting value significantly greater than unity on prolonged degradation is derived and applied to the solid-state degradation of cellulose (Kraft paper) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. Experimental data were fitted using two iterative computer algorithms: one for isothermal DP data and the other for non-isothermal DP data obtained under a linear temperature ramp. The apparent activation energy for the solid-state recombination of chain radicals was found to be low in each case and was attributed to the proximity of free radicals being facilitated by restrictions imposed by the polymer matrix. The application of the model to non-isothermal DP yielded rate parameters that could be reconciled with those obtained from isothermal analyses, suggesting the novel approach has much merit for the future study of polymer degradation.     

竹材非等温热解动力学

利用热重分析技术对竹材在高纯N2条件下,从室温至1273K进行了非等温热解分析,研究了升温速率(5、10、20和40K/min)对热解过程的影响,探讨了其热解机理。研究表明,竹材非等温热解过程主要分为失水干燥、快速热解和缓慢分解三个阶段组成,其中第二阶段是整个过程的主要阶段,析出大量挥发分造成明显失重。升温速率对热解过程有显著影响,随着升温速率的增加,最大热解速度增大,对应的峰值温度升高,热滞后现象加重,热解各阶段向高温侧移动。热解机理满足一维扩散Parabolic法则,反应机理函数为g(α)=α2。不同升温速率下活化能为75.32-82.99kJ.mol-1,指前因子为1.17×105-1.12×106min-1。     

Isothermal degradation and thermooxidative degradation of an epoxy powder coating

Summary Thermogravimetry was used to study the kinetics of isothermal degradation of an epoxy thermoset powder coating in a nitrogen atmosphere and in oxidizing atmospheres of air and pure oxygen. An integral isoconversional procedure was used to analyse how the activation energy varies depending on the degree of conversion and depending on the atmospheres used. In the case of degradation in a nitrogen atmosphere, in addition to the activation energy, the kinetic triplet was completed using an Avrami reaction model and the pre-exponential factor. With this atmosphere, the conclusion was reached that the isothermal and non-isothermal kinetics are equivalent. It was shown that the thermooxidative degradation process is more complex and consists of a two-stage process. The first stage of degradation is similar whether nitrogen, oxygen or air are present. Chain scission occurs and it seems that there is formation of thermally more stable compounds. The second stage of degradation, involving several phenomena, occurs only in the presence of oxygen or air and leads to the total disappearance of the organic material by thermooxidation. These stages are very similar under non-isothermal or isothermal conditions.     

The Study of Kinetics of Poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate) Degradation Induced by Carboxylate

Summary: The carboxylate induced degradation of the poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate] (PHB) has been investigated with non-isothermal measurements. The apparent activation energies for PHB degradation have been determined. Application of the Kissinger's and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa's method for TG and DSC derived data gave good correlation of the results proving applicability of the non-isothermal DSC measurements for the study. Moreover, dependence of the apparent activation energies on the activity of the carboxylate has been found.     

Thermal Degradation of Polyvinyl Chloride

The thermal degradation of a sort of polyvinyl chloride was investigated. Complex processes for polyvinyl chloride degradation were evidenced. The kinetic analysis of dehydrochlorination and of subsequent processes was carried out. A change of mechanism was detected when dehydrochlorination goes to completion. The values of non-isothermal kinetic parameters determined by various methods are in a satisfactory agreement. The obtained results allowed some clarifications concerning the thermal degradation steps. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal degradation kinetics and reaction models of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene-based plastic-bonded explosives containing fluoropolymer matrices

In this article, thermal degradation behavior of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB)-based plastic-bonded explosives (PBXs) bonded with a different fluoropolymer matrices namely indigenous poly(vinylidene fluoride-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (FKM), FK 800, fluoroplastic F-32L and fluororubber SKF 32 was investigated through non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TG) technique under nitrogen atmosphere. It was observed that the mass loss of PBXs containing FKM and FK 800 matrices occurred in three steps. The mass loss of PBXs containing fluoroplastic F-32L and fluororubber SKF 32 occurred in two steps. Kinetics were investigated through non-isothermal TG at different heating rates for the first step of degradation by means of model-free Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) methods. The activation energies calculated by applying FWO method are in good agreement and very close to those obtained by KAS method. The results revealed that the effect of the polymer matrices on the thermal degradation reaction of TATB was significantly observed especially different outcomes of kinetic parameters. The reaction models for degradation were also studied by Criado method. The reaction models are probably best described by the power law and diffusion models.     

High-molar-mass hyaluronan degradation by Weissberger's system: Pro- and anti-oxidative effects of some thiol compounds

Pro- and anti-oxidative effects of two thiol compounds, d-penicillamine and reduced l-glutathione, on the kinetics of degradation of high-molar-mass hyaluronan samples were monitored via rotational viscometry. The degradation was induced under aerobic condition by the so-called Weissberger′s system [ascorbate plus Cu(II)]. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of free radicals generated during the biopolymer degradation. Infrared spectroscopy and non-isothermal chemiluminometry were used to characterize the biopolymers after processing.     

The Progress of Ageing of Lignin-containing Paper Induced by Light and its Relation to Chemiluminescence – Temperature Runs

Lignin-containing papers from different sources and of different age were irradiated by the visible light and the progress of the degradation reaction was followed by non-isothermal chemiluminescence method. Kinetic data obtained for papers degraded in oxygen were compared with double fold endurance test and carbonyl groups concentration. The effect of lignin on degradation of cellulose after deacidification treatment of the paper by methoxymagnesium methylcarbonate (MMMC) was ascertained and a mechanism of co-oxidation of lignin and cellulose in originally alkaline conditions was outlined.     

Kinetics of isothermal thermooxidative degradation of poly(vinyl chloride)/chlorinated polyethylene blends

The thermooxidative degradation of poly(vinyl chloride)/chlorinated polyethylene blends of different compositions was investigated by means of isothermal thermogravimetry in flowing atmosphere of synthetic air at temperatures 240–270 °C. The main degradation processes are dehydrochlorination of PVC and CPE. For calculation of the apparent activation energy and apparent pre-exponential factor two kinetic methods were used: isoconversional method and Prout–Tompkins method. True compensation dependency between Arrhenius parameters, obtained using Prout–Tompkins model, was found. Calculated kinetic parameters of isothermal thermooxidative degradation are close to those from non-isothermal degradation and confirm the assumption of the main degradation process in PVC/CPE blends.     

Mechanism and kinetics of the non-isothermal degradation of ethylenepropylene diene monomer (EPDM)

The thermal degradation behaviour of ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) elastomer, was examined under non-isothermal conditions at different heating rates (5, 7, 10 and 12 °C/min) using thermogravimetric analysis. Kinetic parameters of degradation were evaluated using the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa isoconversional method, as well as the integral method of Coats and Redfern. A comparison between the two methods showed that the degradation of EPDM follows the Avrami–Erofeev two-dimensional nucleation model. The thermodynamic parameters were also calculated and the effect of the heating rate on each was deduced.     

热分析法研究聚全氟乙丙烯非等温裂解反应动力学

本文从非等温差示扫描量热(DSC)曲线研究聚(?)氟乙丙烯(FEP)在空气中热裂解过程分为两个阶段的机制及其微分动力学方程。利用峰形指数确定的两个阶段的裂解反应级数,用多项式回归了相应的裂解活化能,指前因子随裂解率变化的规律及其补偿效应。     

Thermal Degradation and Kinetics of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/Organoclay Nanocomposites

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/Cloisite30B (PHB/30B) nanocomposites were prepared by solution-intercalation method. The influence of 30B content on the thermal stability of PHB was investigated. With the addition of 3 wt. % of 30B the highest thermal stability of PHB was achieved. The kinetic analysis of the non-isothermal degradation was performed using the isoconversional Friedman method and invariant kinetic parameters method.     

Thermal Degradation Kinetics of N,N＇-Di（diethoxythiophosphoryl）-1,4-phenylenediamine

The non-isothermal degradation kinetics of N,N＇-di（diethoxythiophosphoryl）-1,4-phenylenediamine in N2 was studied by TG-DTG techniques.The kinetic parameters,including the activation energy and pre-exponential factor of the degradation process for the title compound were calculated by means of the Kissinger and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa（FWO）method and the thermal degradation mechanism of the title compound was also studied with the Satava-Sestak methods.The results indicate that the activation energy and pre-exponential factor are 152.61 kJ/mol and 9.06×101 4s -1with the Kissinger method and 154.08 kJ/mol with the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method,respectively.It has been shown that the degradation of the title compound follows a kinetic model of one-dimensional diffusion or parabolic law,the kinetic function is G（α）=α2and the reaction order is n=2.     

Thermal Decomposition of Triazine Herbicides II. 6-Chloro-N2-ethyl-N4-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (atrazine) and its metabolites

Thermal degradation of atrazine and its metabolites has been investigated using a thermogravimetric technique(TG) with the application of three types of crucibles: opened, Knudsen type and labyrinthtype, and non-isothermal DSC method, using hermetically closed and opened alumina sample pans. The great influence of decomposition conditions (the crucible type) on thermal degradation was observed. TG analysis showed that the degradation process of atrazine took place in three stages. The increase of amino groups in triazine ring increases the amount of non-volatile thermal degradation products by association. The presence of chlorine substituent facilitates the forming of products with low volatility. Hydroxyatrazine decomposes only in one stage process. The dealkylation process observed in hermetical sample pans (DSC) was two-stage and in open sample pans one-stage process. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Study of the thermal degradation of bioactive sol–gel coatings for the optimization of its curing process

A set of materials has been prepared by sol–gel process containing different quantities of hydroxyapatite (0, 2.5 and 5% HAp w/w) using as silica precursors glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and triethoxyvinylsilane (VTES). In order to optimize the curing process to obtain sintherized systems (inorganic network) or hybrid systems (organic–inorganic) a TG and FTIR studies have been developed and degradation kinetic triplet parameters were obtained (the activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and function of degree of conversion). The kinetic study was analyzed by means of an integral isoconversional non-isothermal procedure (model free), and the kinetic model was determined by the Coats–Redfern method and through the compensation effect (IKR). All the systems followed the n = 6 kinetic model. The addition of HAp increases the thermal stability of the systems. The isothermal degradation was simulated from non-isothermal data, and the curing process could be defined to obtain the two types of materials. Temperature under 250 °C allows the formation of hybrids networks.     

Non-isothermal kinetics of reactions whose activation energy depends on the degree of conversion

A procedure for evaluating the non-isothermal kinetic parameters of reactions for which the activation energy depends on the degree of conversion is suggested. The procedure has been applied to the dehydration of calcium oxalate monohydrate and to the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and polychloroprene rubber.     

Thermal degradation of poly(vinyl butyral) in alumina,mullite and silica composites

Thermal degradation of poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) and its mixtures with alumina, mullite and silica was investigated by non-isothermal thermogravimetry in the temperature range of 323 to 1273 K. The analysis of the data was carried out using a three-dimensional diffusion model. Results showed that the kinetic parameters (activation energy and pre-exponential factor) of the PVB degradation are different for polymer alone, and ceramic/polymer composites. The overall weighted mean apparent activation energy showed an increasing reactivity in the order of PVB<alumina+PVB<mullite+PVB<silica+PVB. This shows that the acidic and basic surface characteristics of the ceramics promote the thermal degradation of PVB and, the more acidic silica affects the degradation more than mullite and alumina. The effect of pellet compression pressure in the range of 4000 to 8000 psig is also investigated.     

Thermogravimetric analysis of SPEEK membranes: Thermal stability, degree of sulfonation and cross-linking reaction

Thermal degradation of SPEEK membranes is studied by coupling thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and mass spectrometry (MS). Main mass losses can be attributed to water evaporation, desulfonation and oxidative pyrolysis of polymer main chain. The analysis can be used to determine the degree of sulfonation (DS) and the degree of cross-linking (DCL) between macromolecular chains. Furthermore, the thermogravimetric curves can be modelled using non-isothermal chemical kinetics, allowing determination of activation energies during thermal degradation of SPEEK membranes.