Thermal regeneration of activated carbons saturated with ortho- and meta-chlorophenols

Activated carbons (ACs) made from peach and plum stones were oxidized and impregnated with salts of Cu(II), Fe(III), Ni(II) and Cr(III). The chemically modified ACs, along with a commercial AC (S208c), were saturated with ortho- (OCP) and meta-chlorophenol (MCP) to investigate the potential for thermally regenerating the spent ACs. The thermal regeneration process was monitored by thermal analysis (TGA/DSC), gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Thermal desorption profiles showed that in most cases weight losses occur in two steps (weak physisorption at ∼220 °C and strong chemisorption at ∼620 °C). Intermediate steps at ∼400 °C appeared in samples whose chemical treatments successfully weakened the interactions between strongly chemisorbed chlorophenol (CP) molecules and AC surfaces. The type and quantity of products of OCP and MCP desorption during the thermal regeneration of a spent AC depend on the chemical modification given to the AC prior to its use as CP adsorbent. Besides the original chlorophenols, thermal regeneration products can include chlorobenzene, dichloro-dibenzofuran, phenol, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, water, chlorides, carbon oxides, hydrogen, and char deposits. Mechanisms for the formation of these compounds are discussed. The char deposits built during this study did not appear to diminish the surface area or porosity of the chemically modified ACs following their thermal regeneration.     

A pyrolysis-GC–MS investigation of poly(vinyl phenyl ketone)

The thermal decomposition process and pyrolysis products of poly(vinyl phenyl ketone) (PVPK) were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and on-line pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC–MS). TGA showed a largest weight loss rate around 380 °C. Py-GC–MS was used for the qualitative analysis of the pyrolysis products at 350, 500, 600, 700 and 850 °C. The major volatile thermal decomposition product was found to be 1-phenyl-2-propenone, which dominated all other volatile species especially under the least severe pyrolysis conditions (<600 °C). At higher temperatures a much wider range of pyrolysis products was obtained. The results have been interpreted assuming that primary random chain scission reactions occur followed by typical unzipping mainly producing monomer units; detachment of the side-group occurs only under more severe pyrolysis conditions. Py-GC–MS showed to be effective in PVPK detection in ink and paint formulations.     

Correlation between thermal and mass spectral techniques for the characterization of allenylidene and carbene complexes

The fragmentation pathways of allenylidene and carbene complexes have been studied using FAB mass spectrometry in comparison with thermal analyses (TGA, DrTG and DTA). Both the decomposition modes are investigated and the possible fragmentation pathways are suggested. The use of mass and thermal analyses (TGA and DTA) in the analyses of allenylidene and carbene complexes allowed the characterization of the fragmentation pathways in MS. The major pathway includes successive loss of carbon monoxide followed by fragmentation of the organic part of the allenylidene or carbene molecules. This is also confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) where the first step involves the loss of carbon monoxide followed by the organic ligand. The nature of each step; exothermic or endothermic, is also studied using DTA technique. The kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition are also studied using the Coates-Redfern method.     

Thermal degradation behaviour of aromatic poly(ester-amide) with pendant phosphorus groups investigated by pyrolysis-GC/MS

The thermal stability of a novel phosphorus-containing aromatic poly(ester-amide) ODOP-PEA was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The weight of ODOP-PEA fell slightly at the temperature range of 300-400 °C in the TGA analysis, and the major weight loss occurred at 500 °C. The structural identification of the volatile products resulted from the ODOP-PEA pyrolysis at different temperatures was performed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (pyrolysis-GC/MS). The P-C bond linked between the pendant DOPO group and the polymer chain disconnected first at approximately 275 °C, indicating that it is the weakest bond in the ODOP-PEA. The P-O bond in the pendant DOPO group was stable up to 300 °C. The cleavage of the ester linkage within the polymer main chain initiated at 400 °C, and the amide bond scission occurred at greater than 400 °C. The structures of the decomposition products were used to propose the degradation processes happening during the pyrolysis of the polymer.     

Thermal Kinetics and Decomposition Mechanism of Methylphenylphosphinic Acid and Diphenylphosphinic Acid

Thermal degradation and degradation kinetics of methylphenylphosphinic acid（MPPA） and diphenyl- phosphinic acid（DPPA） were investigated via thermogravimetric analysis（TGA） technique under non-isothermal conditions. The activation energies of the decomposition process for the two compounds were calculated through the Friedman and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose（KAS） methods. The thermal decomposition mechanism was investigated by the Criado method based on a set of TGA data obtained at different heating rates. It was shown that the activation energies calculated from the decomposition reaction by different methods were consistent with each other. The results show that the probable model for the degradation of MPPA and DPPA agreed with the two-dimensional（D2） and three-dimensional（D4） diffusion models, respectively. Moreover, the thermodynamic functions（△H, △S, △G） of the two decomnosition reactions were also calculated.     

Desolvation and Dehydrogenation of Solvated Magnesium Salts of Dodecahydrododecaborate: Relationship between Structure and Thermal Decomposition

Attempts to synthesize solvent‐free MgB₁₂H₁₂ by heating various solvated forms (H₂O, NH₃, and CH₃OH) of the salt failed because of the competition between desolvation and dehydrogenation. This competition has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD). Products were characterized by IR, solution‐ and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single‐crystal or powder X‐ray diffraction analysis. For hydrated salts, thermal decomposition proceeded in three stages, loss of water to form first hexahydrated then trihydrated, and finally loss of water and hydrogen to form polyhydroxylated complexes. For partially ammoniated salts, two stages of thermal decomposition were observed as ammonia and hydrogen were released with weight loss first of 14 % and then 5.5 %. Thermal decomposition of methanolated salts proceeded through a single step with a total weight loss of 32 % with the release of methanol, methane, and hydrogen. All the gaseous products of thermal decomposition were characterized by using mass spectrometry. Residual solid materials were characterized by solid‐state ¹¹B magic ‐ angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray powder diffraction analysis by which the molecular structures of hexahydrated and trihydrated complexes were solved. Both hydrogen and dihydrogen bonds were observed in structures of [Mg(H₂O)₆B₁₂H₁₂] ? 6 H₂O and [Mg(CH₃OH)₆B₁₂H₁₂] ? 6 CH₃OH, which were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The structural factors influencing thermal decomposition behavior are identified and discussed. The dependence of dehydrogenation on the formation of dihydrogen bonds may be an important consideration in the design of solid‐state hydrogen storage materials.     

Aromatic polyamides. II. Thermal degradation of some aromatic polyamides and their model diamides

Thermal degradation behavior of poly(1,3-phenylene isophthalamide) and poly(chloro-2,4-phenylene isophthalamide) was investigated with the aid of some appropriate model compounds. The pyrolysis products of these materials were identified by gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (GC/FT-IR), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The residual chars were characterized by IR spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was applied to study the effect of end-group concentration on the degradation characteristics of the two polyamides. Kinetic parameters that describe the thermal degradation of the polyamides were also evaluated by TGA. The results of this investigation suggest that the thermal decomposition of these aromatic polyamides involves homolytic as well as hydrolytic cleavages of the amide units.     

Thermal decomposition of the vivianite arsenates—implications for soil remediation

The presence of arsenate compounds in soils and mineral dump leachates is common. One potential method for the removal of the arsenates from soils is through thermal treatment. High-resolution thermogravimetric analysis has been used to follow this thermal decomposition of selected vivianite arsenates. This decomposition occurs as a series of steps. The first two steps involve dehydration with 6 mol of water lost in the first step and two in the second. The third major weight loss step occurs in the 750-800 °C temperature range with de-arsenation. The application of infrared emission spectroscopy confirms the loss of water by around 250 °C and the loss of arsenic as arsenic pentoxide is observed by the loss of AsO stretching bands at around 826 cm⁻¹. Thermal activation of arsenic contaminated soils may provide a method of decontamination.     

Thermal studies of chitin–chitosan derivatives

New poly(azo) amino-chitosan compounds were obtained from the azo coupling reaction of N-benzyl chitosan and diazonium salts. The thermal behavior of these compounds was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTG), TG coupled with a Fourier-transform infrared, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). TG/DTG curves of chitin–chitosan polymer showed two thermal events attributed to water loss and decomposition of the polysaccharide after cross-linking reactions. Thermal analysis of the poly(azo) amino-chitosan compounds showed that the decomposition temperatures decreased when compared to the starting chitin–chitosan and N-benzyl chitosan. DSC results showed an agreement with the TG/DTG analyses. Thermal behavior of poly(azo) amino-chitosans suggest that these compounds could be considered as potential thermal sensors.     

Thermal Stability of Robust Unsymmetrical Copperporphyrins with Multiple Diphenylamino and Nitro Substituents

The syntheses and thermal stability properties of a series of amino and nitro substituted copperporphyrins are described. The thermal decomposition temperatures of the porphyrins were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The on-set thermal decomposition temperatures of the unsymmetrical porphyrins were found to be high in the range of 350 – 405 °C (DSC), 374 – 441 (TGA in air), 395 – 411 °C (TGA under nitrogen atmosphere), and 410 – 424 °C (DTA in air). Substituent dependent thermal stability trends were also studied. The trend is variable depending on the thermal analysis technique utilized. Possible reasons for such variation are discussed. These porphyrins are thermally robust even in the melamine-based sol-gel matrix. Containing 20% by weight of the substituted unsymmetrical copperporphyrin, melamine-based sol-gel showed no indication of decomposition until ?400 °C.     

Thermal degradation studies of alkyl-imidazolium salts and their application in nanocomposites

Increasing the thermal stability of organically-modified layered silicates is one of the key points in the successful technical application of polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites on the industrial scale. To circumvent the detrimental effect of the lower thermal stability of alkyl ammonium-treated montmorillonite, a series of alkyl-imidazolium molten salts were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetry (TGA) and thermal desorption mass spectroscopy (TDMS). The effect of counter ion, alkyl chain length and structural isomerism on the thermal stability of the imidazolium salts was investigated. Alkyl-imidazolium-treated montmorillonite clays were prepared by ion exchange of the imidazolium salts with Na-montmorillonite. These organically-modified clays were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), TDMS and thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR), and compared to the conventional quaternary alkyl ammonium montmorillonite. Results indicate that the counter ion has an effect on the thermal stability of the imidazolium salts, and that imidazolium salts with PF₆⁻, N(SO₂CF₃)₂⁻ and BF₄⁻ anions are thermally more stable than the halide salts. A relationship was observed between the chain length of the alkyl group and the thermo-oxidative stability; as the chain length increased from propyl, butyl, decyl, hexadecyl, octadecyl to eicosyl, the stability decreased. The results also show that the imidazolium-treated montmorillonite has greater thermal stability compared to the imidazolium halide. Analysis of the decomposition products by FTIR provides an insight about the decomposition products which are water, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons.     

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.     

Rapid methods of polymer and polymer additives identification: Multi-sample solvent-free MALDI, pyrolysis at atmospheric pressure, and atmospheric solids analysis probe mass spectrometry

Polymer manufacturers add antioxidants, waxes, dyes, and other materials to enhance polymer utility or processing. Numerous analytical methods are available to characterize various chemical aspects of polymers including methods interfaced with mass spectrometry (MS) such as pyrolysis (Py), gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Current methods work well, but because of the necessity of extraction, chromatography, or thermal methods, most are too time consuming for high throughput analyses which might be necessary in, for example, regulatory laboratories. Here we discuss three MS methods for rapid analysis of polymers; multi-sample MALDI MS which allows rapid analysis of low molecular weight polymers, atmospheric pressure (AP) solids analysis probe MS for direct ambient additives analysis, and APPy MS for polymer identification. The latter methods provide information regardless of the composition or molecular weight of the polymeric material.     

Thermal analysis of chemically synthesized polyaniline and effects of thermal aging on conductivity

Thermal characteristics of chemically synthesized polyaniline with various dopants have been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy, gel-permeation chromatography (GPC), and chemical titration. The HCl-doped polyaniline shows three major weight losses at around 100, 200, and 500°C which are assigned to removal of H₂O and HCl, and decomposition of the polymer, respectively. Thermal aging of the HCl-doped polyaniline performed at 100, 150, and 200°C for various periods of time results in a decrease in conductivity. After the thermal treatments, the polymer can be re-doped with HCl to partially recover the conductivity. However, both the conductivity and the doping level cannot be restored to the level of the original materials owing probably to changes in morphology, crosslinking, or other chemical reactions.     

Analysis of volatiles and semivolatiles in drinking water by microextraction and thermal desorption

A new technique to analyze aqueous samples for nanograms per liter levels of volatile and semivolatile compounds using microextraction and thermal desorption into a gas chromatograph/ion trap mass spectrometer (GC/MS) is described. This method is inherently sensitive (50 mL of aqueous sample is extracted prior to each desorption), uses no solvents, and detects volatiles and semivolatiles in the same analysis. Aqueous standards and environmental samples are pumped through a length of porous-layer open-tubular capillary column, which is then thermally desorbed onto a 30 m × 0.25 mm i.d. analytical column interfaced to an ion trap mass spectrometer for subsequent separation and detection. Sharp chromatographic peaks and reproducible retention times (RT) were observed. Replicate injections of surrogates (n = 6) averaged 32.6% R.S.D. Analysis of domestic tap water detected 55 analytes, some at the low-nanograms per liter level, and detected 3 halogenated ethenes, not previously reported in drinking water. Analysis of an aqueous sample from a municipal ground water source detected the presence of numerous semivolatile compounds at trace-levels.     

Thermal degradation of poly((E,E)-[6.2]paracyclophane-1,5-diene)

Thermal degradation of poly((E,E)-[6.2]paracyclophane-1,5-diene) is studied in inert and oxidative environments by using thermogravimetric analysis, pyrolysis GC/MS, pyrolysis GC/FT-IR, and variable temperature-diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (VT-DRIFTS). Thermal degradation in helium begins by depolymerization yielding a volatile product capable of abstracting hydrogens from the polymer residue. Multiple hydrogen abstractions result in a variety of volatile species containing benzyl-benzyl bonds. In the presence of oxygen, polymer decomposition is dictated by reactions of peroxy and hydroperoxy radicals. At low temperatures, oxygenated species are the primary products. At higher temperatures, increased unsaturation is detected in the polymer residue. In both inert and oxidative environments, the strain associated with alignment of paracyclophane aromatic rings is lost during the initial stages of thermal degradation. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Study of the thermal decomposition of flame-retarded unsaturated polyester resins by thermogravimetric analysis and Py-GC/MS

The thermal degradation behaviours of flame-retarded unsaturated polyester resin formulations containing ammonium polyphosphate (APP), Cloisite 25A nanoclay and zinc based smoke suppressants have been studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) combined with infrared analysis of the evolved gases (EGA) and pyrolysis/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In TGA-EGA experiments, the mass loss as a function of temperature has been correlated with the evolution of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) and oxygen (O₂) consumption as measured by an oxygen analyser. The effect of APP, Cloisite 25A and the smoke suppressants on the evolution of CO and CO₂ has been examined. The decomposition behaviour of flame-retarded polyester resins under isothermal pyrolytic conditions was investigated and the evolved gaseous products were collected and qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analysed via GC/MS. The addition of APP does not yield many new gaseous products relative to the unmodified polyester resin neither does the presence of zinc borate (ZB) and zinc stannate (ZS) together with APP. Possible chemical interactions are discussed in an attempt to explain the observed results.     

Polypropylene metal functionalised POSS nanocomposites: A study by thermogravimetric analysis

Dimeric and oligomeric Al and Zn-containing isobutyl silsesquioxanes (POSS) were studied to investigate their thermal stability both in inert and oxidant atmosphere, by means of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA).Thermo-oxidative degradation leads to an important solid residue yield, as a consequence of the POSS oxidation to a thermally stable ceramic phase.The study of the differences in degradation pathways of both metal POSS derivatives clearly shows a competition between two possible mechanisms for product thermal behaviour, namely evaporation and oxidation.The metal POSS compounds were incorporated via melt blending into a PP matrix and the composites thermal properties were studied by thermogravimetric analyses.Thermo-oxidative degradation of composites is strongly affected by the presence of metal containing POSS, resulting in an improved thermal stability, in terms of higher weight loss temperature.     

Thermal stability and degradation products analysis of benzocyclobutene-terminated imide polymers

Benzocyclobutene-terminated imides were prepared and fully characterized with ¹H NMR, MS, and FT-IR. The thermal degradation of polymers was investigated by using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and high-resolution pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HR-Py-GC–MS). TGA showed that thermal degradation of the polymer was a single-stage process in N₂, whereas a three-stage degradation in air atmosphere. The major involved products were found to be CO₂, naphthalene and naphthalene derivatives. Degradation mechanism of the polymer was suggested and the relationship between structures of the polymer and degradation products was also discussed.