Calculation of kinetic parameters and sequence distribution from pyrolysis gas chromatographic data of styrene-methyl acrylate copolymers

Styrene-methyl acrylate copolymers have been investigated by pyrolysis gas chromatography. The pyrolysis product distribution, ranging from methyl acrylate monomer to styrene trimer, was measured and introduced into a mathematical model described previously. Applying this model, the sequence distribution and the rate constants of the degradation reactions were obtained. The results show that the sequential arrangement is important in the thermal decomposition of styrene-methyl acrylate copolymers. In most cases the rate constant of a product release reaction depends considerably on the nature and sequence of the monomer units in the product molecule, as well as on the nature of the monomer unit remaining on the macroradical end, from which the molecule was released.