DSC kinetics of the thermal decomposition of copper(II) oxalate by isoconversional and maximum rate (peak) methods

The copper(II) oxalate was synthesized, characterized using FT-IR and scanning electron microscopy and its non-isothermal decomposition was studied by differential scanning calorimetric at different heating rates. The kinetics of the thermal decomposition was investigated using different isoconversional and maximum rate (peak) methods viz. Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), Tang, Starink^1.95, Starink^1.92, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) and Bosewell. The activation energy values obtained from isoconversional methods of FWO and Bosewell are 0.9 and 3.0 %, respectively, higher than that obtained from other methods. The variation of activation energy, E _α with conversion function, α, established using these different methods were found to be similar. Compared to the FWO method, the KAS method offers a significant improvement in the accuracy of the E _a values. All but the Bosewell maximum rate (peak) methods yielded consistent values of E _α (~137 kJ mol^?1); however, the complexity of the thermal decomposition reaction can be identified only through isoconversional methods.     

Flammability and Thermal Oxidative Degradation Kinetics of Magnesium Hydroxide and Expandable Graphite Flame Retarded Polypropylene Composites

The flammability and the thermal oxidative degradation kinetics of expandable graphite (EG) with magnesium hydroxide (MH) in flame‐retardant polypropylene (PP) composites were studied by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that EG is a good synergist for improving the flame retardancy of PP/MH composite and the effect is enhanced with decreasing EG particle size. The Kissinger method and Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa method were used to determine the apparent activation energy (E) for degradation of PP and flame retarded PP composites. The data obtained from the TGA curve indicate that EG markedly increases the thermal degradation temperature of PP/MH composites and improves the thermal stability of the composites. The kinetic results show that the values of E for degradation of flame retarded PP composites is much higher than that of neat PP, especially PP/MH composites with suitable amount of EG, which indicates that the flame retardants used in this work have a great effect on the mechanisms of pyrolysis and combustion of PP.     

Characterization of fire retardant polymer blends by temperature resolved in-source pyrolysis mass spectrometry

The characterization of fire retardant polymer blends by temperature resolved in-source pyrolysis mass spectrometry (PYMS) is demonstrated with a few examples. Electron impact (EI) and electron capture negative ionization (ECNI) were used to identify the thermal degradation products of polymer blends containing brominated fire retardants. PYMS (EI mode) offers an analytical instrument for a fast analysis of unknown mixtures of polymers and for the presence of fire retardant additives. Under electron impact conditions, in vacuo, low-molecular weight additives like fire retardants mainly evaporate from the polymer matrix. PYMS (EI mode) has been used for the characterization of addition polymers like polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, and for condensation polymers like the polyester poly(butylene terephthalate). Applying electron capture negative ionization, at low argon pressure in the ionization chamber, a more realistic pyrolysis situation is created because the premature loss of volatile additives is suppressed. The selectivity of ECNI for electron accepting groups like bromine makes it possible to study the influence of brominated compounds on the degradation processes in the melt. This is demonstrated by our studies on polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer. High-molecular weight pyrolysis products in the m/z range of 1000 - 2000 are detected for p-bromopolystyrene and for a blend of high impact polystyrene with the fire retardant system decabromodiphenyl ether/antimony(III) oxide. In addition to the formation of antimony bromides shown in earlier studies, the emission of the synergist antimony(III) oxide as a dimeric cluster (Sb₄O₆) or as a reduced Sb₄ cluster is observed under PYMS conditions.     

The fire-retarding effect of inorganic phosphorus compounds on the combustion of cellulosic materials

The pyrolysis and combustion of cellulosic substances treated with MAP and DAP have been studied using thermal analysis, flame spread tests and a specifically designed apparatus for smoldering combustion test. The samples used were: cotton string, cotton fabric and pure cellulose powder. Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) can reduce the combustion and pyrolysis maximum mass loss temperature, decrease the initial pyrolysis temperature and considerably increase mass residue. Moreover, MAP and DAP reduce the flaming combustion rate of cellulosic materials and completely inhibit smoldering combustion. This study can facilitate a better understanding of the mechanism of pyrolysis and combustion of fire-retarded cellulosic materials.     

Commercial fire-retarded PET formulations - Relationship between thermal degradation behaviour and fire-retardant action

Many types of fire retardants are used in poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, formulations, and two commercial fire retardants, Ukanol^® and Phosgard^®, have been shown to improve significantly PET flame-retardancy when used as comonomers. Phosgard incorporates a phosphorus atom within the main chain whereas Ukanol incorporates a phosphorus atom as a pendent substituent. Despite their acknowledged effectiveness, the mode of action of these fire retardants remains unclear, and in this paper we present a comparison of the overall thermal degradation behaviour of PET and Ukanol and Phosgard fire-retarded formulations. DSC and particularly TGA data show that both Ukanol and Phosgard have some stabilising influence on PET degradation, especially under oxidative conditions. TGA and pyrolysis experiments both clearly indicate that neither of the additives acts as a char promoter. Only the Phosgard formulation shows any release of volatile phosphorus species which could act in the gas phase. On the other hand, the most striking feature of the pyrolysis experiments is the macroscopic structure of the chars produced by the fire-retarded formulations, which hints at their fire-retardancy action - an open-cell charred foam was obtained upon charring at 400 °C or 600 °C. This foaming layer between the degrading melt and the flame would lower the amount of fuel available for combustion, and would also limit the feedback of heat to the condensed phase.     

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.     

Kinetic parameters underlying hematite-assisted decomposition of tribromophenol

Interaction of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and transition metal oxides is a widely utilized approach in thermal recycling of bromine-contaminated plastics. An optimum design of the operation requires the development of accurate thermo-kinetic parameters that dictate the co-degradation of both entities. To attain this obviative, thermal degradation behavior pertinent to co-pyrolysis and co-combustion of hematite (Fe₂O₃): tribromophenol (TBP) mixtures was explored in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) at various heating rates. Thermo-kinetic parameters for mixtures were acquired based on TGA runs while employing three major model-free or isoconversional methods (KAS, Starink, and FWO) and model-fitting methods (Coats-Redfern). Obtained profiles infer that the addition of hematite systematically reduces the governing activation energy (E_a) in both thermochemical processes in reference to neat TBP. The hematite-assisted debromination of TBP under oxidative conditions entails lower activation energy when compared with degradation under pyrolytic conditions. Molecular modeling mapped out initial mechanisms that operate in the interaction with a prime focus on reactions that lead to ring opening of the aromatic rings. Overall, the results obtained from the thermal chemical conversions find direct application in reactor modeling and heat transfer design in domains related to the recycling of electronic and electrical waste (e-wastes).     

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.

     

Effect of compatibilization on thermal degradation kinetics of HDPE-based composites containing cellulose reinforcements

Dynamic thermogravimetric analysis under nitrogen flow was used to investigate the thermal decomposition process of high-density poly(ethylene) (HDPE)-based composites reinforced with cellulose fibers obtained from the recycling of multilayer carton scraps, as a function of the cellulose content and the compatibilization. The Friedman, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, and Coats–Redfern methods were used to determine the apparent activation energy (E _a) of the thermal degradation of the cellulose component into the composites. E _a has been found dependent on the cellulose amount and on the cellulose/polymer matrix interfacial adhesion. In particular, it has been evidenced an increase of the cellulose thermal stability as a consequence of the improved interfacial adhesion between the components in NFR composites.     

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.     

使用裂解气相色谱对几种阻燃聚丙烯材料热稳定性及阻燃机理的探讨

用裂解气相色谱（PyGC)考察了经三种类型阻燃剂（含磷、含溴、含溴和磷）改性的聚丙烯的热稳定性。利用PyGC-MS法分析不同样品的高温裂角产物,以此来推测阻燃材料受热分解时气相以及凝聚相所发生的反应,推断阻燃机理,分析影响阻燃效果的因素,为阻燃剂的开发提供有益参考。结果证实,它们都影响聚丙烯的热降解。溴系阻燃剂和磷系阻燃剂是分别从气相阻断、凝固相加速成炭实现阻止燃烧的,而磷-溴型阻燃剂同时具备单纯含磷或者含溴阻燃能力。     

A Comparison of Catalytic Effect of Nano‐Mn3O4 derived from MnC2O4.2H2O and Mn(acac)3 on Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate

The formation and catalytic effect of Mn₃O₄ spinel nanoparticles on thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) were investigated and compared to two manganese precursors of MnC₂O₄ · 2H₂O and Mn(acac)₃. The catalytic effects of two coated precursors on AP thermal decomposition were measured by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The MnC₂O₄ · 2H₂O@AP composite showed a decrease in the decomposition temperature of AP from 428.35 to 310.93 °C in one step, whereas for the Mn(acac)₃@AP composite, the thermal decomposition was seen in two steps at 288.04 and 323.875 °C. The kinetic triplet of activation energy (E_a), frequency factor (log A) and model of mechanism function [f(α)] of thermal decomposition for pure ammonium perchlorate,MnC₂O₄ · 2H₂O@AP and Mn(acac)₃@AP were investigated via two model‐free (FWO, KAS and Starink) and model‐fitting (Starink) methods at different conversions of α (α = 0.05–0.95). Also, the thermodynamic parameters were obtained via activation energy and frequency factor for different concentrations of catalysts.     

Terpolymerization of p-acetylpyridine oxime, p-methylacetophenone and formaldehyde, and its thermal studies

A terpolymer resin involving p-acetylpyridine oxime and p-methylacetophenone with formaldehyde (APOMAF) was synthesized by condensation polymerization in the presence of an acid catalyst. The structure of terpolymer was elucidated by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometer (Py?CGC?CMS), nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis, Ubbelohde viscometer and non-aqueous conductometric titration, TG?CDTG and DSC. Molar fractions of monomer, condensing and comonomer unit (m ₁, m ₂, and m ₃) in APOMAF using ¹H NMR analysis data were calculated as 1.67; 0.27 and 0.66?mol%, respectively. The apparent activation energy of terpolymer by using various degradation models including the Flynn?CWall?COzawa (FWO), Kissinger?CAkahira?CSunose (KAS), and Friedman methods were 140.3; 144.9 and 129.9?kJ?mol^?1, respectively. The results from isoconversional degradation kinetics and Pyrolysis (GC?CMS) indicates that the degradation mechanism of terpolymer are likely limited by at least two-reaction step, the first being associated with the loss of the pendent methyl, acetyl, and oxime groups (side group elimination) while the second mass loss being due to the degradation of the terpolymer backbone (random scission) which clearly indicates that grafting pendant groups to the terpolymer backbone yields polymers with lower thermal stability. From the calculation, the solid state thermal degradation mechanism is proposed to be D₃ (three-dimensional diffusion) at initial stage and F ₁ (Random nucleation with one nucleus on the individual particles) at final stage.     

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

The isoconversional methods (Friedman (FR), Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS)) were applied for evaluating the dependencies of the activation energy (E) on the mass loss (Δm) corresponding to the non-isothermal decomposition of two Zn acetate-based gel precursors for ZnO thin films whose preparation differs by the drying temperature of the liquid sol-precursor (125°C for sample A, and 150°C for sample B). Although both investigated samples exhibit similar decomposition steps, strong differences between E vs. Δm curves as well as among the characteristic parameters of the decomposition steps, directly evaluated from TG, DTG and DTA curves, were put in evidence.     

Phosphorylated cellulose propionate derivatives as thermoplastic flame resistant/retardant materials: influence of regioselective phosphorylation on their thermal degradation behaviour

Cellulose ester derivatives having phosphoryl side-chains were synthesized by phosphorylation of two types of cellulose propionate (CP); the difference between the two CPs was whether the primary hydroxyl group at C6 had been fully propionylated or not. Dimethyl phosphate, dimethyl thiophosphate, diethyl phosphate, or diethyl thiophosphate was introduced into the residual hydroxyl positions of the CPs. Chemical composition of the respective derivatives was characterized by elemental analysis and a combined use of saponification and HPLC quantification of the released propionic acid. Their thermal properties were investigated by DSC and TGA, and an intermediate residue of the pyrolysis was also examined by FT-IR spectroscopy. From the thermal degradation measurements using TGA, the C6-O phosphorylation was found to noticeably prevent the CP derivatives from weight loss in the pyrolysis process under dynamic air, i.e., providing them with a flame-resistance functionality, whereas the C2-O and C3-O phosphorylation did not give rise to such an appreciable resistance effect. A discussion was focused on the difference in pyrolysis mechanism between the phosphorylated CPs. However, most samples of the CP derivatives showed a clear T _g considerably lower than the onset temperature of the thermal degradation. Thus we suggest that it is possible to design thermoplastic flame resistant/retardant materials based on cellulose, by controlling the substitution distribution of the phosphoryl and propionyl groups introduced.     

TG-MS analysis for studying the effects of fire retardants on the pyrolysis of pine-needles and their components

Thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-MS) was used to study the effect of the inorganic salts (NH₄)₂SO₄ and (NH₄)₂HPO₄, active substances of many commercial forest fire retardants, on the pyrolysis of Pinus halepensis needles and their main components (cellulose, lignin and extractives). These salts seemed to affect the pyrolysis of cellulose by increasing significantly the char residue, decreasing the pyrolysis temperature and changing the composition of the evolved gases, that is, increasing levoglucosenone and decreasing oxygen containing volatile products. (NH₄)₂SO₄ seemed to have negligible effect on the pyrolysis of lignin, while (NH₄)₂HPO₄ increased the char residue and decrease the relative contribution of guaiacols in the evolved gases. No effects of the inorganic salts on the extractives were observed. Finally, the inorganic salts seemed to affect the pyrolysis of pine-needles, mainly the cellulose component, but the effects were not as intense as in the pyrolysis of cellulose.     

Study of pyrolysis kinetic of green corn husk

In this paper, it was suggested the use of green corn husk, which is a biomass from agro-industry, as an alternative source of energy through its pyrolysis. Green corn husk characterization was done through immediate and elemental analysis of its components: cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. It was also measured its higher calorific value. The pyrolysis study of green corn husk was done by the isoconversion and the Master plots method. Thermogravimetric plots were obtained at heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min^?1. The pyrolysis kinetics parameters were studied through the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger, and Friedman models. The Master plots method was used to determine the pyrolysis reaction order. The results of the reaction energy activation were found to be in the range 105.21–157.46 kJ mol^?1 by the FWO method, 150.50 kJ mol^?1 by the Kissinger method, and ranged 120.66–163.81 kJ mol^?1 by the Friedman method. The Master plots method showed a three-way-transport diffusional kinetics for the biomass de-volatilization process. The higher calorific value found for green corn husk was 16.14 MJ kg^?1. The simulation showed correlation between the experimental data and the proposed model for conversion values up to 0.8.

     

N,N′-二(5,5-二甲基-2-磷杂-2-硫代-1,3-二噁烷-2-基)乙二胺在空气中的热分解动力学研究

以TG-DTG为手段, 研究了N,N′-二(5,5-二甲基-2-磷杂-2-硫代-1,3-二噁烷-2-基)乙二胺(DPTDEDA)在空气中的热分解动力学,利用Friedman法、Flynn-Wall-Ozawa(FWO)法对DPTDEDA进行了动力学分析, 求出了该物质两个主要的热分解阶段的热分解动力学参数, 同时利用Coats-Redfern法、Achar法研究了该物质的热分解机理. 结果表明, 用Friedman法所求得的两个热分解阶段的表观活化能的平均值分别为128.03和92.59 kJ•mol^－1; 而Flynn-Wall-Ozawa法所求得的两个热分解阶段的表观活化能的平均值分别为138.75和106.78 kJ•mol^－1. 由Coats-Redfern法、Achar法得出DPTDEDA在空气中的热分解过程虽主要分为两段反应, 但经过推理其反应机理函数却是相同的, 为f(α)＝3/2(1－α)^4/3[(1－α)^－1/3－1]^－1.     

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.     

A review on flammability of epoxy polymer,cellulosic and non‐cellulosic fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Natural fiber is well‐known reinforcement filler in polymer‐matrix composites. Composite components like organic polymers and natural fibers are natural fire conductors as the natural fiber consists of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, and hence are as highly flammable as wood. Natural fiber reinforced composite materials are progressively being used in a variety of applications where their fire response is a hazardous consideration, for example, in the automotive (transportation) and building‐construction industries. As a result, an awareness of their performance or response during a fire and the use of conventional fire retardants are of great importance, as they are subject to thermal decomposition when exposed to intensive high heat or fire sources. In this review paper, fire flammability is the main concern for cellulosic and non‐cellulosic fiber‐reinforced polymer composites, especially epoxy composites. This paper reviews the literature on the recent developments in flammability studies concerning polymers, epoxy polymers, cellulosic‐fibers, and non‐cellulosic fiber‐reinforced epoxy bio‐composites. The prime objective of this review is to expand the reach of “fire retardants for polymer materials and composites” to the science community, including physicists, chemists, and engineers in order to broaden the range of their applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.