The thermal degradation of polymethacrylonitrile with different end groups

Polymethacrylonitrile (PMAN) was prepared by bulk, solution and precipitation polymerization. The thermal stability of the polymer, which is affected by the structure of the chain end groups, was studied by non-isothermal thermogravimetry (TG). On the basis of the differential TG curves of samples prepared by polymerization in the presence of chlorinated solvents, it may be concluded that, in addition to end-chain and random main chain scission initiated depolymerization, hydrogen chloride evolution also occurs during the thermal degradation of PMAN.