Thermal degradation, synthetic polymers

Recently, various studies have recognised MALDI and ESI as valuable techniques for analysing chemical modifications in the structure of synthetic polymers induced by degradation processes [154-158]. Even tough, MALDI and ESI MS appear considerably less extensively used in the thermal degradation of polymers than in other degradation processes [160], In fact, the study of polymer thermal degradation by MALDI has been limited to a few classes of polymers likely since it is a useful method to analyse pyrolysis products from soluble polar macromolecules. 

Synthetic polymers and natural polymers suitable for drilling muds are listed in Tables 1-7 and 1-8, respectively. Polyacrylamides are eventually hydrolyzed in the course of time and temperature. This leads to a lack of tolerance toward electrolyte contamination and to a rapid degradation inducing a loss of their properties. Modifications of polyacrylamide structures have been proposed to postpone their thermal stability to higher temperatures. Monomers such as AMPS or sulfonated styrene/maleic anhydride can be used to prevent acrylamide comonomer from hydrolysis [92]. 

In addition to natural materials, synthetic polymers might also be present in works of art. Since the end of the nineteenth century, synthetic polymers have been produced and used in the field of cultural heritage, to restore works of art [3], but also as paint binders, such as alkyd resins and acrylic water dispersions. Most synthetic polymers can be detected by GC/MS only through thermal degradation followed by GC/MS [4,5] (Chapter 12 deals with the characterisation of synthetic resins in detail). 

T. Sawaguchi et al. Studies on thermal degradation of synthetic polymers. 12. Kinetic approach to intensity function concerning pyrolysis condition for polyethylene., Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Process Design and Development, 19, 174-179 (1980). 

This book has two main parts, and the material is organized in chapters and sections. The first part of the book has five chapters including an introduction, a discussion on physico-chemistry of thermal degradation of synthetic polymers, a short discussion on instrumentation used in analytical pyrolysis, a chapter discussing what type of information can be obtained from analytical pyrolysis, and a chapter dedicated to the applications of analytical pyrolysis for the analysis and characterization of synthetic polymers. The chapter on applications includes only a few selected examples from the multitude existent in literature, and it is not intended to be exhaustive. Excellent monographs, such as F. W. Billmeyer Jr., Textbook of Polymer Science, J. Wiley, New York, 1971 H. FI. G. Jellinek, ed.. Aspects of Degradation and Stabilization of Polymers. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1980 S. A. Liebman, E. J. Levy, ed. Pyrolysis and GC in Polymer Analysis. M. Dekker, New York, 1985 and T. P. Wampler, ed., Applied Pyrolysis... 

Evolved gas analysis, particularly in the form of TGA-DTA-MS, has obvious synthetic polymer applications. It has been applied to study the thermal behavior of homopolymers, copolymers, polymeric blends, composites, residual polymers, solvents, additives, and toxic degradation polymers. In the latter context, hydrogen chloride evolution from heated polyvinylchloride materials is readily quantified by TGA-DTA-MS and such data are of major significance in... 

This volume is including information about thermal and thermooxidative degradation of polyolefine nanocomposites, modeling of catalytic complexes in the oxidation reactions, modeling the kinetics of moisture adsorption by natural and synthetic polymers, new trends, achievements and developments on the effects of beam radiation, structural behaviour of composite materials, comparative evaluation of antioxidants properties, synthesis, properties and application of polymeric composites and nanocomposites, photodegradation and light stabilization of polymers, wear resistant composite polymeric materials, some macrokinetic phenomena, transport phenomena in polymer matrix, liquid crystals, flammability of polymeric materials and new flame retardants. 

Perhaps the widest application of analytical pyrolysis is in the analysis of synthetic polymers, from the standpoints of prodnct analysis and quality control as weU as polymer longevity, degradation dynamics, and thermal stability. Several spedlic polymers have been discussed in Section 1.2, and subsequent chapters treat spedlic families of polymers in detail. 

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