Thermal stability and degradation studies of alternating poly(ester amide)s derived from glycolic acid and ω‐amino acids

Abstract

AbstractThe thermal degradation of three poly(ester amide)s derived from glycolic acid and different ω‐amino acids is studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at different heating rates and the results are compared. Thermal decomposition follows a two‐step reaction, the mechanism involved in each step being possible to be determined. Nonisothermal integral isoconversional methods (such as Kissinger, KAS, and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa) and linear equations and differential methods (such as the Friedman expression) were used to obtain the kinetic parameters from TGA and DTGA curves. The complete kinetic triplets are also determined by the Coats–Redfern and the invariant kinetic parameters methodologies. Hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation studies, where weight losses, intrinsic viscosity changes and NMR spectra of degraded samples are evaluated, are also undertaken. The polymers seem interesting because of their application as new biodegradable materials. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102:5545–5558, 2006