Thermal Stability of Polyesteric Precursors of Polyurethanes Interacted with Potassium Cations

Abstract

The effect of potassium cations on the thermal stability of three aliphatic linear polyesters, i.e. poly(ethylene adipate)diol, poly(butylene adipate)diol and poly(hexamethylene adipate)diol, major precursors of polyesterurethanes, was investigated. The activation energy of the thermal decomposition processes of polymer/potassium ions interaction products and of parent polyesters was evaluated using the Levi-Reich thermal analysis method. It was found that the presence of potassium cations enhances the thermal stability of the studied polyesters.