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Thermal degradation of ethylene–carbon monoxide alternating copolymer under inert atmosphere
Author(s) -
De Vito Silvia,
Ciardelli Francesco,
Ruggeri Giacomo,
Chiantore Oscar,
Moro Alessandro
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0126(199804)45:4<353::aid-pi942>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - copolymer , materials science , inert gas , polymer chemistry , furan , pyrolysis , ethylene , carbon monoxide , melting point , chemical engineering , chemistry , organic chemistry , polymer , composite material , catalysis , engineering
This work aims to understand the mechanism of the thermal degradation of the ethylene–carbon monoxide (E‐CO) alternating copolymer under mild conditions. The copolymer was subjected to accelerated ageing in an oven at different temperatures below the copolymer melting point, under argon atmosphere, and in the absence of light. The properties of the aged samples were compared with the properties of the untreated copolymer. Untreated and aged samples were analysed by mass spectroscopy (MS) with the direct introduction probe (DIP) and pyrolysis (Py) techniques. The accelerated ageing experiments showed that the thermal degradation of the E‐CO alternating copolymer under inert atmosphere is characterized by chain cross‐linking, loss of water, and changes in the UV absorption spectrum. The IR spectrum shows modifications only for highly degraded samples in which O−H and C=C groups are present. The experiments performed with the DIP‐MS technique have confirmed that the E‐CO alternating copolymer loses water during its thermal ageing. The pyrolysis products of the copolymer are linear molecules with 1,4‐diketonic structure, 2‐cyclopentenone derivatives, alkyl furans, and aromatic compounds. These results suggest that during the thermal degradation of the E‐CO alternating copolymer under inert atmosphere, and at low temperatures, aldol condensations and/or dehydration to furan rings probably occur. © 1998 SCI.