Investigation of the thermal degradation of fully aromatic regular polyesters: Poly(oxy-1,4-phenyleneoxy-fumaroyl-bis-4-oxybenzoate)

The thermal behaviour and degradation mechanism of fully aromatic polyester, poly(oxy-1,4-phenyleneoxy-fumaroyl-bis-4-oxybenzoate), were studied by pyrolysis-gas chromatography and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry at 500-700 °C, and by thermogravimetry. The influence of fullerene C₆₀ additives on thermal behaviour and thermal degradation was investigated. On the basis of pyrolysis products determined, the origin of the main degradation products (maleic anhydride, phenol, hydroquinone, phenyl ether, p-hydroxybenzoate-p′-phenol, etc.) was estimated. The fullerene is a well-known efficient acceptor of radicals and its presence influences the thermal degradation process of polymers shifting the decomposition from a radical pathway to a non-radical mechanism. Thermal degradation mechanism of poly(oxy-1,4-phenyleneoxy-fumaroyl-bis-4-oxybenzoate) is discussed in detail.     

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography of some crosslinked copolymers of styrene

The thermal degradation of copolymers of styrene, ethylstyrene and divinylbenzene with acrylonitrile and other acrylic monomers has been studied by pyrolysis-gas chromatography at 420, 570 and 790°. The thermal degradation products were identified and determined at 570°. The thermal degradation of some chloromethylated copolymers with the same composition was also followed. It has been ascertained that the chloromethylated copolymers show characteristic behaviour in thermal degradation. This is explained by modification of the degradation mechanism of the chloromethylated copolymers with respect to the development of crosslinking processes.     

Characterization of some acrylic anion-exchangers by pyrolysis-gas chromatography

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography was used in the study of the thermal behaviour of some acrylic anion-exchangers for identification of the thermal decomposition products and their percentage estimation. The acrylic anion-exchangers were prepared by aminolysis of cross-linked acrylic ester copolymer with difunctional amines. The pyrolysis-gas chromatography studies, coupled with data obtained by thermogravimetry, showed that the acrylic anion-exchangers first lose the water easily absorbed from the air, and the decomposition starts at temperatures above 100°. The great number of decomposition products identified in the pyrograms on the thermal degradation of acrylic anion-exchangers indicated a complex degradation mechanism, with important variations in the contents of the evolved amine compounds.     

Thermal analysis of polyesters containing oxirane groups

The preliminary studies of the thermal behaviour of polyester obtained in polycondensation process of cyclohex-4-ene-1,2-dicarboxylic anhydride and ethylene glycol and its new epoxidized form have been performed. The thermal characterization of initial polyester and its completely oxidized form was done by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The non-isothermal DSC was applied to determine the influence of time and the temperature on the chemical modification of initial polyester using 38-40% solution of peracetic acid. On the basis of DSC profiles it has been found that the endothermic transition, due to the degradation process of initial polyester was characteristic feature under controlled heating program. The two characteristic transitions for the new epoxidized polyester, the exothermic peak corresponded to the thermal crosslinking of epoxidized polyester (322.8–336.4°C) and the endothermic decomposition peak of the cured material (363.8–388.9°C) were observed. The peak maximum temperatures (Tmax) and the heat of cross-linking reaction (ΔH_c) for epoxypolyester prepared at 20–60°C under 1–4 h were evaluated. The Tmax1 were almost independent from epoxidation conditions, while, the values of ΔH_c were dependent from conditions of synthesis. The ΔH_c values of this process decreased when time of oxidation increased. The highest values of ΔH_c at 40°C were obtained. Additionally, TG experiments confirmed two separated degradation steps of the new epoxidized polyester indicating the ester (370–380°C) and ether (450–460°C) bond breakdown.     

A thermal degradation mechanism of polyvinyl alcohol/silica nanocomposites

The thermal degradation mechanism of a novel polyvinyl alcohol/silica (PVA/SiO₂) nanocomposite prepared with self-assembly and solution-compounding techniques is presented. Due to the presence of SiO₂ nanoparticles, the thermal degradation of the nanocomposite, compared to that of pure PVA, occurs at higher temperatures, requires more reaction activation energy (E), and possesses higher reaction order (n). The PVA/SiO₂ nanocomposite, similar to the pure PVA, thermally degrades as a two-step-degradation in the temperature ranges of 300-450 °C and 450-550 °C, respectively. However, the introduction of SiO₂ nanoparticles leads to a remarkable change in the degradation mechanism. The degradation products identified by Fourier transform infrared/thermogravimetric analysis (FTIR/TGA) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis (Py-GC/MS) suggests that the first degradation step of the nanocomposite mainly involves the elimination reactions of H₂O and residual acetate groups as well as quite a few chain-scission reactions. The second degradation step is dominated by chain-scission reactions and cyclization reactions, and continual elimination of residual acetate groups is also found in this step.     

A degradation study of waterborne polyurethane based on TDI

The thermal degradation of synthetic waterborne polyurethane (PU) based on toluenediisocyanate (TDI) was investigated by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and thermogravimetry (TG). The degradation profiles of cast films obtained from dispersions were evaluated. More than 20 characteristic volatile pyrolyzates reflecting the structure and pyrolysis mechanisms of the polymer have been identified by on-line MS. The synthesized products of polyurethane were pyrolyzed at 350, 450, 550, 650 and 750 °C respectively, and the analysis results revealed that the pyrolyzates distribution of the polyurethane depends strongly on the pyrolysis temperature. The aqueous polyurethane thermogravimetric measurements were used to study the kinetics of thermal degradation.     

Thermal degradation of deoxybenzoin polymers studied by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The thermal degradation behavior of novel ultra-fire-resistant polymers and copolymers containing deoxybenzoin units in the backbone was studied by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The polymers were synthesized by the polycondensation of 4,4′-bishydroxydeoxybenzoin (BHDB) with isophthaloyl chloride (to give polyarylates), phenylphosphonic dichloride (to give polyphosphonates), and their mixtures (to give poly(arylate-co-phosphonate) copolymers). The thermal decomposition, under nitrogen conditions, of BHDB-polyarylate was characterized by a simultaneous degradation of both the bisphenolic (deoxybenzoin) and isophthalate sub-units, whereas a three-step decomposition phenomenon was observed for the BHDB-polyphosphonate. BHDB-polymers containing phosphonate groups in the backbone did not show any phosphorus-based volatile decomposition products, whereas the corresponding bisphenol A-based polyphosphonates released volatile decomposition products comprised mainly of phosphorus-containing compounds.     

Investigation on the thermal degradation of acrylic polymers with fluorinated side-chains

The thermal degradation of poly-2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′,6,6′,7,7′,7″-tridecafluoroheptylacrylate and poly-2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′,6,6′,7,7′-dodecafluoroheptylmethacrylate has been studied in isothermal conditions at 450-750 °C using pyrolysis-gas chromatography. The type and composition of the pyrolysis products give useful information about mechanism of thermal degradation. It was shown that the main thermal degradation process for both polymers is random main-chain scission. The major degradation products for fluorinated polyacrylate are monomer, dimer, saturated diester, trimer, and corresponding methacrylate. The fluorinated polymethacrylate gives monomer as the main product of thermal destruction. As a result of side-chain reaction, the thermal degradation of the fluorinated polyacrylate also produces remarkable amounts of alcohol. On the other hand, the respective alcohol is only a minor component among the pyrolysis products of the fluorinated polymethacrylate. For both polymers, the main nontrivial degradation product coming from the alkyl ester decomposition is the corresponding fluorinated cyclohexane. The formation of the fluorinated cyclohexanes may be accounted for a nucleophilic bimolecular substitution pathway.     

Effects of fullerenes on thermal behaviors of polyethylene glycol

Effects of fullerenes including FS, EFS and pure C₆₀ on thermal behaviors of polyethylene glycol (PEG) have been studied by employing thermogravimetry-differential thermogravimetry (TG-DTG), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and off-line furnace-type pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The products were collected by Cambridge filter pad which was widely used in analyzing the combustion products of cigarette. The results showed that the addition of fullerenes obviously restrained the thermal decomposition of PEG. The initial decomposition temperatures (IDT) and maximum decomposition peak temperatures (MDT) were evidently postponed by the addition of fullerenes. Pyrolysis products with one or two hydroxyl end groups obviously increased with the addition of 10% C60. The reasons of the changes were discussed from the aspects of reaction mechanisms.     

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.     

Research on pyrolysis of PCB waste with TG-FTIR and Py-GC/MS

The purpose of this study is to determine the pyrolysis characteristics and gas product properties of printed circuit board (PCB) waste. For this purpose, a combination of Thermogravimetry-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum (TG-FTIR) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) techniques is employed. In the TG-FTIR experiment, a heating rate of 10?°C min^?1 and a terminal pyrolysis temperature of 600?°C are applied. The thermal decomposition temperature, weight losses, and the temperature trend of evolving gaseous products of PCB waste are investigated. Py-GC/MS is used for the qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of the higher-molecular-weight volatile decomposition products. Associated with the analysis results of TG-FTIR and Py-GC/MS for the volatile products, PCB waste degradation could be subdivided into three stages. The main products in the first stage (<293?°C) are H₂O, CH₄, HBr, CO₂ and CH₃COCH₃. High-molecular-weight organic species, including bromophenols, bisphenol A, p-isopropenyl phenol, phenol, etc., mainly evolve in the second stage. In the last stage, at temperature above 400?°C, carbonization and char formation occur. This fundamental study provides a basic insight of PCB waste pyrolysis.     

Thermal degradation behavior of poly(4-hydroxybutyric acid)

Thermal degradation behavior of poly(4-hydroxybutyric acid) (P(4HB)) was investigated by thermogravimetric and pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectrometric analyses under both isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. Based on the thermogravimetric analysis, it was found that two distinct processes occurred at temperatures below and above 350 °C during the non-isothermal degradation of P(4HB) samples depending on both the molecular weight and the heating rate. From ¹H NMR analysis of the residual P(4HB) molecules after isothermal degradations at different temperatures, it was confirmed that the ω-hydroxyl chain-end was remained unchanged in the residual P(4HB) molecules at temperatures below 300 °C, while the ω-chain-end of P(4HB) molecules was converted to 3-butenoyl units at temperatures above 300 °C. In contrast, the majority of the volatile products evolved during thermal degradation of P(4HB) was γ-butyrolactone regardless of the degradation temperature. From these results, it is concluded that during the thermal degradation of P(4HB), the selective formation of γ-butyrolactone via unzipping reaction from the ω-hydroxyl chain-end predominantly occurs at temperatures below 300 °C. At temperatures above 300 °C, both the cis-elimination reaction of 4HB unit and the formation of cyclic macromolecules of P(4HB) via intramolecular transesterification take place in addition to unzipping reaction from the ω-hydroxyl chain-end. Finally, the primary reaction of thermal degradation of P(4HB) at temperatures above 350 °C progresses by the cyclic rupture via intramolecular transesterification of P(4HB) molecules with a release of γ-butyrolactone as volatile product. Moreover, we carried out the thermal degradation tests for copolymer of 93 mol% of 4HB with 7 mol% of 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3HB) to examine the effect of 3HB units on thermal stability of P(4HB).     

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.     

Enhanced thermal degradation of 2,2′-dichlorodiethyl sulfide (sulfur mustard,HD) with the presence of metal oxides

Thermal degradation of sulfur mustard (2,2′-dichlorodiethyl sulfide, HD) in the presence of metal oxide adsorbents was investigated by thermal desorption in conjunction with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Zr(OH)₄, Al₂O₃, Al₂CoO₄, MgO, CeO₂, and V₂O₅ were used as metal oxide adsorbents. Neat HD was spiked onto the metal oxides packed in glass tubes, which were kept at room temperature and then heated at moderately elevated temperatures of 100°C by a thermal desorption system. The products of thermal degradation were directly transferred and analyzed by GC-MS. 1,4-Dithiane and 1,4-oxathiane were characterized as the major products of the thermal degradation of HD in the presence of Zr(OH)₄, Al₂O₃, Al₂CoO₄, and CeO₂ adsorbents. No effective degradation was observed with MgO and V₂O₅. Of particular note is Zr(OH)₄, which extremely enhanced the thermal degradation of HD.     

Thermo-oxidative processes in biodegradable poly(butylene succinate)

Aliphatic polyesters have acquired significant interest as environmentally friendly thermoplastics for a wide range of applications, and understanding their degradation behaviour has relevance both for processing and end uses. We have investigated the thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation processes occurring in synthetic and commercial poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu). Thermal oxidation was performed in atmospheric air using extremely thin polymer films at 170 °C for up to 6 h. The oxidized compounds were analyzed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), NMR spectroscopy, and Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). A measurable reduction of the molar mass of the polyesters was soon apparent, promoting the formation of PBSu oligomers with different end groups. MALDI mass spectrometry combined with the use of extremely thin polyester films provided a virtual magnifying glass to obtain exhaustive information on the structure of the oxidation products. An α-H abstraction mechanism has been unambiguously ascertained to be the primary step in PBSu oxidation. The oxidized polymer chains originating from the decomposition of the hydroperoxide intermediate by radical rearrangement reactions had not been revealed before. The latter products subsequently undergo chain scission processes, which can be accurately traced from the chemical species identified in our work. Thermal degradation experiments were also performed under nitrogen at 240-260 °C. The new species identified in the MALDI spectra support a decomposition pathway taking place through a β-hydrogen-transfer mechanism, followed by the production of succinic anhydride from succinic acid end molecules via a back-biting process.     

Effect of ZnO and organo-modified montmorillonite on thermal degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites

Since a few years ago, a topic of interest consists in developing composites filled with nanofillers to improve thermal degradation and flammability property of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). In the present work, the effects of ZnO nanoparticles and organo-modified montmorillonite (OMMT) on the thermal degradation of PMMA were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). PMMA-ZnO and PMMA-OMMT nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending with different (2, 5, and 10 wt%) loadings. SEM and TEM analyses of nanocomposites were performed in order to investigate the dispersion of nanofillers in the matrix. According to TGA results, the addition of ZnO nanoparticles does not affect the thermal degradation of PMMA under an inert atmosphere. However, in an oxidative atmosphere, two contrary effects were observed, a catalytic effect at lower concentration of ZnO in the PMMA matrix and a stabilizing effect when the ZnO concentration is higher (10 wt%). In contrast, the presence of OMMT stabilizes the thermal degradation of PMMA whatever be the atmosphere. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) curves showed surprising results, because a dramatic change of exothermic reaction of the PMMA degradation process to an endothermic reaction was observed only in the case of OMMT. During the degradation of PMMA-ZnO nanocomposites, pyrolysis-gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer (Py-GC/MS) showed an increase in the formation of methanol and methacrylic acid while a decrease in the formation of propanoic acid methyl ester occurred. In the case of PMMA-OMMT systems, a very significant reduction in the quantity of all these degradation products of PMMA was observed with increasing OMMT concentration. It is also noted that during PMMA-OMMT degradation less energy was released as the decomposition is an endothermic reaction and the material was cooled.     

NMR studies of the thermal decomposition and branching reactions of aromatic esters

Poly(chlorophydroquinone terephthalate) is an aromatic polyester containing mainly chlorohydroquinone and terephthalate. Thermal stability of this aromatic polyester has been a problem during the processing. In order to characterize the melt reactions of this polyester, the thermal degradation of the model compound chlorohydroquinone dibenzoate was studied. The chlorohydroquinone dibenzoate was characterized by high resolution ¹³C-NMR. All experiments for studyng degradation of chlorohydroquinone dibenzoate were designed to test the following environmental parameters: (1) atmosphere, (2) temperature, (3) time, (4) additives, (5) container material. The analysis of the degradation products were carried out mainly using NMR; in some cases GC/MS and HPLC were also used to aid in separation and identification of the degradation products. The major degradation products produced in various experimental conditions were identified as chlorohydroquinone benzoates, hydroquinone dibenzoate, dichlorohydroquinone dibenzoate, 9-fluorenone, benzoic acid, Fries products, and hydrogen chloride     

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.     

Quercetin enhances vitamin D2 stability and mitigate the degradation influenced by elevated temperature and pH value

Vitamin D₂ (vit. D₂) is a nutraceutical essentially needed for good health. However, it is susceptible to oxygen and high temperature. The use of natural products such as bioflavonoids possessing anti-degradative effect of vit. D₂ degradation has not been described before. A combinational effect of vit. D₂ with quercetin showed a positive effect and inhibited vit. D₂ degradation when exposed to high temperature (50 ℃ and 75 ℃) at different time points. The results obtained revealed vit. D₂ degradation was drastically increased with longer incubation under thermal treatment. However, quercetin and vit. D₂ groups were able to significantly inhibit the degradation of vit. D₂ and stabilize it, evaluated through the retention percentage. We also exposed vit. D₂ at solutions with different pH values (1, 4, 5, 7, 10). Quercetin exerted vit. D₂ anti-degradation at different pH values as well as under thermal pressure at different time points. Conclusively, quercetin can be an effective way to reduce temperature and pH induced degradation of vit. D₂.     

Effect of layered double hydroxides on the thermal degradation behavior of biodegradable poly(l-lactide) nanocomposites

This study elucidates the thermal degradation behavior of biodegradable poly(l-lactide) (PLLA)/layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites was explored using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (Py-GC/MS) in an inert atmosphere. PLLA/LDH nanocomposites were fabricated using PLLA and organically-modified magnesium/aluminum layered double hydroxide (P-LDH) in tetrahydrofuran solution. According to the TGA results, the thermal stability of PLLA/P-LDH nanocomposites was significantly lower than that of pure PLLA matrix, perhaps because P-LDH provides thermal acceleration of the degradation of the underlying polymer from the heat source. The identification of the thermal degradation products by Py-GC/MS evidently shows that introducing P-LDH into PLLA leads to a remarkable change during the thermal degradation process. The main reaction route of neat PLLA was through inter- and intra-transesterification to generate lactides and oligomer. The primary volatile products obtained from PLLA/P-LDH nanocomposites were lactides regardless of the temperature of degradation. These results suggest that the thermal degradation behavior of PLLA/P-LDH nanocomposites is governed by the preferential formation of lactide by the unzipping depolymerization reaction, which is catalyzed by Mg and Al components in P-LDH.