A schematic representation of pyrolysis and oxidative decomposition paths of more environmentally friendly, high chemical and solvent resistant poly(geranyl methacrylate)-co-poly(benzyl methacrylate) copolymers studied by the TG/FTIR/QMS

Abstract

A schematic representation of pyrolysis and oxidative decomposition paths of poly(geranyl methacrylate)-co-poly(benzyl methacrylate) copolymers (GM-co-BM) using a simultaneous TG/FTIR/QMS analysis has been evaluated, for the first time. The tested polymers are more environmentally friendly, high chemical and solvent resistant materials with a glass transition temperature below 47 °C. Their pyrolysis took place in one main stage visible from 220 °C± 3–245 °C± 2–440–500 °C, depending on their composition. The pyrolysis was connected with the emission of benzyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, myrcene, geraniol, citral, H2O and some low molecular mass fragments. In turn, the oxidative decomposition of the tested copolymers run in two main stages. The first stage from 205 °C± 5–230 °C± 4–340–380 °C was visible. This was connected with the emission of benzyl methacrylate, myrcene, citral, low molecular mass alkenes and ketones, CO2, H2O and CO. The second stage occurred from 340° to 380–520 °C. Mainly, the formation of CO2, H2O and CO and some low molecular mass fragments was observed. The type of the formed volatiles indicated that the pyrolysis and oxidative decomposition were initiated by a radical mechanism. The symmetric cleavage of the C-C and C-O bonds in the main and side macromolecular chains of the studied GM-co-BM materials (inert conditions) and additional chemical reactions of the formed fragments with oxygen and/or residues (oxidative conditions) were confirmed.