Thermal degradation and evolved gas analysis of N,N′-bis(2 hydroxyethyl) linseed amide (BHLA) during pyrolysis and combustion

The thermal degradation of N,N′-bis(2 hydroxyethyl) linseed amide (BHLA) was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy (TG–FTIR–MS). Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the thermal degradation process can be subdivided into three stages: sample drying (<200 °C), main decomposition (200–500 °C), and further cracking (>500 °C) of the polymer. The compound reached almost 800 °C during pyrolysis and combustion. The activation energy at the second step during combustion was slightly higher than that of pyrolysis emissions of carbon dioxide, aliphatic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide, and other gases during combustion and pyrolysis were detected by FTIR and MS spectra. It was observed that the intensities of CO₂, CO, HCN, and H₂O were very high when compared with their intensities during pyrolysis, and this was attributed to the oxidation of the decomposition product.     

Thermal degradation and evolved gas analysis of thiourea-formaldehyde resin (TFR) during pyrolysis and combustion

Thiourea formaldehyde resin (TFR) has been synthesized by condensation of thiourea and formaldehyde in acidic medium and its thermal degradation has been investigated using TG-FTIR-MS technique during pyrolysis and combustion. The results revealed that the thermal decomposition of TFR occurs in three steps assigned to drying of the sample, fast thermal decomposition of polymers, and further cracking. The similar TG and DTG characteristics were found for the first two stages during pyrolysis and combustion. The combustion process was almost finished at 680?°C, while during pyrolysis a total mass loss of 93 wt% is found at 950?°C. The release of volatile products during pyrolysis are NH₃, CS₂, CO, HCN, HNCS, and NH₂CN. The main products in the second stage are NH₃ CO₂, CS₂, SO₂, and H₂O during combustion. In the next stage, the combustion products mentioned above keep on increasing, but some new volatiles such as HCN, COS etc., are identified. Among the above volatiles, CO₂ is the dominant gaseous product in the whole combustion process. It is found that the thermal degradation during pyrolysis of TFR produced more hazardous gases like HCN, NH₃, and CO when compared with combustion in similar conditions.     

Thermal degradation and evolved gas analysis: A polymeric blend of urea formaldehyde (UF) and epoxy (DGEBA) resin

A polymeric blend has been prepared using urea formaldehyde (UF) and epoxy (DGEBA) resin in 1:1 mass ratio. The thermal degradation of UF/epoxy resin blend (UFE) was investigated by using thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), coupled with FTIR and MS. The results of TGA revealed that the pyrolysis process can be divided into three stages: drying process, fast thermal decomposition and cracking of the sample. There were no solid products except ash content for UFE during combustion at high temperature. The total mass loss during pyrolysis at 775 °C is found to be 97.32%, while 54.14% of the original mass was lost in the second stage between 225 °C and 400 °C. It is observed that the activation energy of the second stage degradation during combustion (6.23 × 10⁻⁴ J mol⁻¹) is more than that of pyrolysis (5.89 × 10⁻⁴ J mol⁻¹). The emissions of CO₂, CO, H₂O, HCN, HNCO, and NH₃ are identified during thermal degradation of UFE.     

Thermal Degradation of Poly(Allyl Methacrylate) by Mass Spectroscopy and TGA

Allyl methacrylate, AMA was polymerized in CCl₄ solution by α,α′‐azoisobutyronitrile at 50°C. The thermal degradation mechanism of PAMA was characterized by MS, TGA‐FT‐IR and FT‐IR‐ATR methods. The mass spectrum and TGA thermogram showed two stage degradation. The first stage of degradation was mostly linkage type degradation for the fragmentation of pendant allyl groups at 225–350°C. In the second stage, at 395–515°C, the degradation is random scission and depolymerization types. This was also supported by direct thermal pyrolysis of polymer under vacuum. The degradation fragments of MS and TGA were in agreement. In the degradation process, monomer degraded further to CO, CO₂, allyl and ether groups. No strong monomer peak was observed in mass spectrum.     

Analysis of the products of thermal decomposition of an aromatic polyamide fabric

The thermal degradation of an aromatic polyamide was studied under conditions of pyrolysis and oxidative degradation at 550°C and of flaming combustion. Techniques described elsewhere were used to determine the volatile compounds quantitatively by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The condensible material and the solid residue were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and MS, and in pyrolysis experiments 28 compounds were identified (CO, CO₂, H₂O, and C₆H₅CN were the primary products). Collectively, these compounds accounted for 79% of the sample weight loss. The remaining 21% was a condensible material that contained at least 17 compounds; the two major components were 1,3-dicyanobenzene and 3-cyanobenzoic acid. Most of the nitrogen content of the polymer remained as involatile residue. This study was sufficiently detailed to obtain a mass balance between the composition of the original polymer and the sum of the observed pyrolysis products. The major products observed in pyrolysis experiments supported a mechanism that involved the cleavage of an aromatic-NH bond and the loss of H₂O to form aromatic nitriles. Hydrolysis of the amide linkage, followed by decarboxylation of the product acid, accounted for the high concentrations of CO₂ observed. Oxidative degradation at 450°C yielded ten identifiable compounds and an additional 19 volatile compounds were formed at 550°C. The condensible fraction, which contained at least 20 compounds, was similar in composition to the fraction collected from the pyrolysis experiments. The sum of the carbon content from the two major volatile products of oxidative degradation (CO and CO₂) and from the solid residue quantitatively accounted for the carbon content in the original sample. Flaming combustion studies revealed a markedly different product distribution than was observed under nonflaming conditions, especially in regard to the higher-molecular-weight species.     

Thermal Degradation Behavior and Kinetic Analysis of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Based Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites Prepared Via in-situ Polymerization

Thermal degradation behavior of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nanocomposites, with different nanotubes contents (0.5, 1.5 and 3.5 wt%) prepared via in-situ polymerization technique have been investigated using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA spectra revealed that these nanocomposites had enhanced thermal stability and no significant mass loss (<0.4 wt%) occurred up to 350°C. Thermal degradation of these UHMWPE/MWCNT nanocomposites was investigated in terms of parameters such as the onset temperature of degradation (T₁₀), the decomposition temperature at 50% wt loss (T₅₀), the degradation temperature of maximum rate of the weight loss (T_m), and the residual yields (W_R) from TGA. The degradation activation energies (E) of virgin UHMWPE and its nanocomposites were estimated using the Friedman, the Ozawa, Flynn, and Wall (OFW), and the Kissinger's methods. Results indicated that the degradation activation energy for the virgin UHMWPE was 281.3 kJ/mol. The activation energy increased with increasing nanotube loading up to 1.5 wt% indicating that MWCNTs had a stabilizing effect on the degradation of the matrix. However, loadings of 3.5 wt% of nanotube or more could slightly decrease the activation energy. The decrease in the activation energy for degradation of nanocomposites with higher MWCNT concentrations might be attributed to the catalytic effects of nanotubes and polymerization catalyst residues. The “model fitting” method indicated a mechanism of n ^th-order auto-catalysis from the form of the conversion curves for UHMWPE/MWCNTs nanocomposites prepared via in-situ polymerization.     

Mass spectral and pyrolysis/gas-chromatographic studies of the monomer and polymer of bis(p-toluenesulfonate) of 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol

The thermal degradation of the monomer and polymer of bis(p-toluenesulfonate) of 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol has been investigated. Decomposition during the latter stages of solid-state thermal polymerization at 80°C and of 100% polymer at 112°C was observed by mass spectrometry and the decomposition fragments identified. Mechanisms for this low-temperature degradation are suggested. Pyrolysis of the monomer and polymer between 400 and 1000°C was studied by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The principal pyrolysis products are triacetylene and p-toluenesulfonic acid. The fragmentation routes leading to and derived from these products are discussed.     

Pyrolysis and combustion kinetics of microcapsules containing carbon nanofibers by thermal analysis–mass spectrometry

The thermal properties of microcapsules containing carbon nanofibers (CNFs) suspended in ethyl phenylacetate (EPA) were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (TGA–MS). The pyrolysis of these microcapsules consisted of two stages. During the first one (100–150 °C), the emissions of aromatic compounds coming from the decomposition of EPA were identified. In the second one (150–290 °C), NH₂–CO coming from primary amide decomposition was mainly detected.A multiple-step model was used to predict the thermal decomposition of the synthesized microcapsules under both inert and oxidant atmospheres. Furthermore, pyrolysis and combustion kinetic parameters such as pre-exponential factor and activation energy of these microcapsules were estimated by nonlinear regression. An excellent agreement between experimental and predicted data was observed and confirmed from the statistical point of view.     

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.     

Study on thermal degradation of cattlehide collagen fibers by simultaneous TG–MS–FTIR

Leather was useful materials since dawn of human history for excellent properties, but thermal degradation mechanism was not very clear yet. In this paper, much progress has been made in elucidating the thermal stability and thermal degradation mechanism by thermoanalytical study in argon. Thermogravimetric analysis simultaneously coupled with mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry was employed to study the thermal degradation of cattlehide collagen fibers through in-depth analysis of the evolved gas. Thermogravimetry analyses carried out on sample, deprived from any residual catalyst and highlighted a two-step thermal degradation. New evidence demonstrates that the process during temperature range from 373 to 513 K was phase transformation. Photographs of polarizing microscope confirmed the conclusion. The decomposition of cattlehide collagen fibers starts at about 523 K. The cattlehide collagen fibers may undergo the process of melting, oxidation and decomposition. In decomposition, more than three steps take place. The mass spectra and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry stated clearly that double bond of carbon to oxygen, carbon to sulfur and carbon to nitrogen were destroyed firstly because the carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and ammonia evolved simultaneously. The second peak of carbon monoxide in mass spectra indicated that some organic fragments were decomposed above 1073 K which confirmed that thermal degradation of leather is more than three steps.     

Investigation of the thermal degradation process of polystyrene brominated on the ring

The results of investigation of the degradation process of polystyrene brominated on the ring via an ionic route have been presented. Using thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) methods, the course of degradation of polymer samples with different bromine content has been described. Introducing of bromine on the aromatic ring influenced the initial decomposition temperature (IDT) and the temperature corresponding to the maximum of decomposition rate (T _m). The samples have been pyrolyzed at 300°C and some pyrolysis products were identified by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Finally, the possible mechanism of degradation was presented.     

Amin-Borane als Precursoren für Borcarbidnitrid

Amine-Boranes as Precursors for Boron Carbonitride Amine-Boranes have been investigated with respect to their thermal decomposition in the temperature range from rom temperature to 1050°C. The phase transformation of the pyrolytic residue derived from BH₃ · C₅H₅N subsequently heat-treated at temperatures up to 2200°C was studied. The progress of the pyrolysis has been detected by thermal analysis (TGA) and mass spectroscopy. Chemical analysis and ESCA measurements show that the pyrolytic products are single-phase boron carbonitride (B_xC_yN_z) which can be described as a boron and nitrogen containing pyrolytic carbon. This is also supported by means of analytical electron microscopy. Hot pressing of the pyridine-borane-derived B_xC_yN_z at 1800°C and a pressure of 190 MPa yields whiskerlike crystals whose d-values are in accordance with that of BN and/or graphite.     

Evolved gas analysis of coal-derived pyrite/marcasite

The products evolved during the thermal decomposition of the coal-derived pyrite/marcasite were studied using simultaneous thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (TG-FTIR–MS) technique. The main gases and volatile products released during the thermal decomposition of the coal-derived pyrite/marcasite are water (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). The results showed that the evolved products obtained were mainly divided into two processes: (1) the main evolved product H₂O is mainly released at below 300 °C; (2) under the temperature of 450–650 °C, the main evolved products are SO₂ and small amount of CO₂. It is worth mentioning that SO₃ was not observed as a product as no peak was observed in the m/z = 80 curve. The chemical substance SO₂ is present as the main gaseous product in the thermal decomposition for the sample. The coal-derived pyrite/marcasite is different from mineral pyrite in thermal decomposition temperature. The mass spectrometric analysis results are in good agreement with the infrared spectroscopic analysis of the evolved gases. These results give the evidence on the thermal decomposition products and make all explanations have the sufficient evidence. Therefore, TG–MS–IR is a powerful tool for the investigation of gas evolution from the thermal decomposition of materials.     

Thermal and pyrolysis studies of copolyesters

Random copolyesters of dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), ethylene glycol (EG), and butane-1,4-diol (BD) and the homopolyesters poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) have been subjected to degradation and pyrolysis studies. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) showed that the decomposition temperature is dependent on the percentage of EG and BD present in the copolyesters. Thermal volatilization analysis (TVA) also showed that the decomposition temperature is dependent on the percentage of EG and BD present in the copolyesters. The trend for the decomposition temperatures obtained from TVA studies for these copolyesters is similar to such other thermal properties as melting temperature T_m, ΔH_f, ΔH_c, etc. The subambient thermal volatilization analysis (SATVA) curves obtained for these polymers are also presented. The SATVA curve is the fingerprint of the total volatile products formed during the degradation in high vacuum. The isothermal pyrolysis of these materials was carried out in high vacuum at 450°C. The products formed were separated in a gas chromatograph and were subsequently identified in a mass spectrometer. The major pyrolysis products from PBT were butadiene and tetrahydrofuran, whereas those from PET were ethylene and acetaldehyde. The ratio of acetaldehyde to ethylene increases with the EG content in the copolyester, suggesting a different decomposition mechanism compared to the decomposition mechanism of PBT and PET.     

Influence of the nanoparticle type on the thermal decomposition of the green starch/poly(vinyl alcohol)/montmorillonite nanocomposites

In this study, some aspects concerning the thermal decomposition of starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites with 2 wt% nanoclay, prepared by melt mixing method, were studied. For these loadings, the inorganic fillers are well dispersed through the PVA/starch matrix, i.e., the nanocomposites formed are mostly intercalated hybrids. The aim of this article is to establish the effect of the nanofiller nature on the thermal decomposition of the starch/PVA/MMT nanocomposites. The thermal behavior of the 50 wt% starch/50 wt% PVA blend and its nanocomposites with 2 wt% nanoclay has been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). The volatile compounds resulting during the thermal degradation were studied by in situ vapor phase FT-IR spectroscopy and MS technique under a controlled temperature/time program. Apart from the identification of the volatile compounds, some conclusions on the nanoclays effect on the degradation mechanism and formation of the volatile compounds in accordance with the previously developed general mechanisms for PVA and starch degradation have been formulated. The clay–PVA/starch nanocomposites show completely different degradation product distribution patterns, which may be attributed to the presence of the head-to-head structures and Si–O–C linkages formed between clay and blend components.     

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.     

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.     

Primary thermal degradation processes occurring in poly(phenylenesulfide) investigated by direct pyrolysis–mass spectrometry

The thermal degradation Processes which occur in poly(phenylenesulfide) (PPS) have been studied by direct pyrolysis-mass spectrometry (DPMS). The structure of the compounds evolved in the overall temperature range of PPS decomposition (400–700°C) suggests the occurrence of several thermal decomposition steps. At the onset of the thermal degradation (430–450°C) this polymer decomposes with the formation of cyclic oligomers, generated by a simple cylization mechanism either initiated at the—SH end groups or by the exchange between the inner sulfur atoms along the polymer chain. At higher temperature (> 500°C) another decomposition reaction takes over with the formation of aromatic linear thiols. The formation of thiodibenzofuran units by a subsequent dehydrogenation reaction occurs in the temperature range of 550–650°C; in fact, pyrolysis products with a quasi-ladder structure have also been detected. Ultimately, above 600°C, extrusion of sulfur from the pyrolysis residue occurs with the maximum evolution at the end of decomposition (about 700°C). It appears, therefore, that the residue obtained at high temperature tends to have a crosslinked graphite-like structure from which the bonded sulfur is extruded. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A comparative study of thermal properties of sinocalamus affinis and moso bamboo

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) and sinocalamus affinis (Phyllostachys heterocycla) were used in the research. Thermogravimetry (TG), a combination of TG and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (TG–FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were used to investigate thermal decomposition of bamboo. The calorific value and smoke release process of both bamboos were also tested, respectively. The results from TG indicated that degradation process of sinocalamus affinis and moso bamboo was similar, but their degradation temperatures were different. The main decomposition occurred in the second step and about 68.70 and 64.63% masses degraded for sinocalamus affinis and moso bamboo, whose temperature of maximum mass loss was 319 and 339 °C, respectively. DTA curve showed that the thermal decomposition of both bamboos was an absorbance heat process. TG–FTIR analysis showed that the main pyrolysis products of both bamboos were similar, including absorbed water (H₂O), methane gas (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), acids and aldehydes, ammonia gas (NH₃). The calorific value of moso bamboo (19,291 J g^?1 K^?1) was higher than that of sinocalamus affinis (18,082 J g^?1 K^?1). The initial time of smoke release process of moso bamboo was later, and its maximum smoke density was higher than that of sinocalamus affinis. The difference was probably attributed to different compositions and structure of sinocalamus affinis and moso bamboo. The results from this research are very helpful to better design manufacturing process of bio-energy, made from bamboo, by gasification and pyrolysis methods.     

Efficiency of wollastonite and ammonium polyphosphate combinations on flame retardancy of polystyrene

The thermal and fire properties of polystyrene (PS) flame retarded by a system composed of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and wollastonite (W) were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, pyrolysis‐combustion flow calorimeter, pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry, cone calorimetry and epiradiator. The combustion residues were observed by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and analyzed by X‐ray diffraction. The combination of both additives enables increasing the thermal stability of PS while increasing simultaneously the high temperature residue. The peak of HRR was also significantly reduced while time to ignition varied depending on the composition. It was shown that the degradation pathway of PS was affected by the presence of the additives implying a reduction of the effective heat of combustion. In the condensed phase, APP decomposition promotes char formation and favors the reactivity between phosphorus and silicate. A layer composed of char, W and a mixture of calcium and silicon phosphate is formed at the sample surface during combustion. This layer is cohesive enough to limit the release of combustible gases to the gas phase. Moreover, the thermally stable protective layer reaches high temperature enabling the re‐irradiation of a part of the incident heat flux. The flame retardancy of PS is thus enhanced. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.