Thermal degradation behaviour of aromatic poly(ester–imide) investigated by pyrolysis–GC/MS

Abstract

The thermal degradation behaviours of a novel aromatic poly(ester–imide) (PEI) derived from pyromellitic dianhydride and 2,7-bis(4-aminobenzoyloxy)naphthalene have been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and by pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (pyrolysis–GC/MS). The weight of PEI fell slightly in the temperature range of 350–450 °C in the TGA analysis, but the major weight loss occurred at 520 °C. Evolve gas analysis (EGA) of the PEI showed maximum release of pyrolyzates at 550 °C. The chemical structure of the volatile products resulted from the PEI pyrolysis at different temperatures was identified by pyrolysis–GC/MS. The cleavage of the ester linkage within the polymer chain initiated at 350 °C, and bond scission in the partially hydrolyzed pyromellitimide unit occurred in the temperature range of 450–500 °C. The bonds within the pyromellitimide unit started to cleave at 550 °C. The extensive decomposition of the pyromellitimide segment within the polymer backbone occurred at 600 °C. The possible thermal degradation pathways of this PEI are proposed on the basis of the pyrolysis products.