Thermogravimetric analysis reaction rate temperature dependence

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) has often been used to determine pyrolysis rates and activation energies (Ea). The technique is relatively fast, simple and convenient, and many experimental variables can be quickly examined. However for cellulose, as with most polymers, the kinetics of mass loss can be extremely complex (8 ) and isothermal experiments are often needed to separate and identify temperature effects (9. Also, the rate of mass loss should not be assumed to be related to the pyrolysis kinetic rate ( 6 ) since multiple competing reactions which result in different mass losses occur. Finally, kinetic rate values obtained from TGA can be dependent on the technique used to analyze the data. 

Pyrolysis of ammonia-borane is a complex process, and the products of the decomposition reaction markedly depend on the conditions employed. Furthermore, the initial process is a solid-state reaction for which the onset of decomposition is a function of heating rate of the substrate (P). In thermogravimetric analyzer-Fourier transform infrared (TGA-FTIR) and thermogravimetric analyzer-differential scanning (TGA-DSC) analysis, heating a borazane sample to 90°C at a rate of 0.5°C/ min and then holding it at that temperature for 200 min resulted in a loss of about 10.2% of initial... 

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