Determination of multipolymer structure using pyrolysis gas chromatography

The thermal degradation of poly(styrene-butadiene-methylmethacrylate-butylacrylate)multipolymers has been investigated by Curie Point pyrolysis gas chromatography (PGC). Small multipolymer samples were pyrolysed in a stream of helium at 600° in a Curie Point pyrolyser directly connected to the gas chromatograph. The pyrolysis products were identified by mass spectrometry. The interpretation of each cluster of dimer and trimer peaks appearing on the chromatogram was carried out by using a statistical method (factor analysis) from which the molecular structure of the multipolymers was inferred.