The Non-isothermal Degradation Process of some Polyethers and Azo-polyethers

Abstract

The paper presents a non-isothermal kinetic study of the degradation process of some aromatic copolyethers containing a tetra-methylenic spacer. The polymers were synthesized using the phase transfer catalysis technique, starting from 1,4-dichlorobutane and various bisphenols (4,4'-dihidroxyazobenzene, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl, bisphenol A and 2,7-dihydroxynaphthlene). Dynamic thermal analysis methods such as ATG, DTG and ATD were used. In order to work out the basic kinetic parameters and the reliance between activation energy and conversion degree, differential methods based on the `order reaction model' were applied and standard kinetic models were also used. The thermostability of the good samples up to 320°C was demonstrated. The degradation mechanism took place by successive reactions, controlled by a nucleation process influenced by the polymer molecular structure.