Thermogravimetric analysis of polycarbonates and polythiocarbonates from diphenols with methyl groups

The thermal behaviour of polycarbonates and polythiocarbonates derived from biphenols with methyl groups in the aromatic rings was studied by dynamic thermogravimetry. The thermal degradation temperatures (TDT) were determined, showing that polythiocarbonates are more stable than the corresponding polycarbonates. The kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition were determined by using the Arrhenius relationship, and showed two steps for the degradation of the polycarbonates, the first being a zero-order process and the second having first-order kinetics; the steps were associated with two different reaction mechanisms. Polythiocarbonates degraded according to first-order kinetics.