Abstract
The thermal degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) was studied using a system of thiols as initiators. Depolymerization is the dominant reaction in the thermal degradation of such polymers, according to thermal analysis. The degradation mechanism involves only main-chain scission. Three methods of degradation were applied to elucidate the thermal degradation behaviour. The activation energy for the degradation of PMMA-thiols is 170 kJ/mol, higher than that of PMMA-AIBN (60 kJ/mol), as measured by the Flynn method. According to Ozawa's method, the activation energy is 210 kJ/mol higher than that of an AIBN-initiated polymer (148-151 kJ/mol). By Kissinger's measurement method, this system has a frequency factor (∼ 1010) five orders of magnitude higher than the ordinary PMMA (∼ 105). The observed results are explained as a "blocking effect".
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 81-88 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Polymer Degradation and Stability |
Volume | 82 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2003 Sep 1 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Mechanics of Materials
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry