The thermal degradations of polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), and poly(propylene) (PP) have been studied in both inert nitrogen and air atmospheres by using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The model‐free isoconversional method has been employed to calculate activation energies as a function of the extent of degradation. The obtained dependencies are interpreted in terms of degradation mechanisms. Under nitrogen, the thermal degradation of polymers follows a random scission pathway that has an activation energy ≈200 kJ·mol–1 for PS and 240 and 250 kJ·mol–1 for PE and PP, respectively. Lower values (≈150 kJ·mol–1) are observed for the initial stages of the thermal degradation of PE and PS; this suggests that degradation is initiated at weak links. In air, the thermoxidative degradation occurs via a pathway that involves decomposition of polymer peroxide and exhibits an activation energy of 125 kJ·mol–1 for PS and 80 and 90 kJ·mol–1, for PE and PP respectively.

The voltammetric response of a Ag(111) electrode coated with a mixed molecular film of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid and 1-decanethiol is presented. The voltammetric current arises from the reversible, electric field-driven deprotonation of carboxylic acid groups. Voltammetric peak heights for interfacial protonation and deprotonation are a function of solution pH, obtaining maximum values near the pK 1/2 (∼8.5) of the molecular film.

The thermal degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has been studied in both pure nitrogen and oxygen-containing atmospheres. The presence of oxygen increases the initial decomposition temperature by 70 °C. The stabilizing effect of oxygen may be explained by forming thermally stable radical species that suppress unzipping of the polymer. This assumption is supported by the experimental fact that introduction of NO into gaseous atmosphere increases the initial decomposition temperature by more than 100 °C. The model-free isoconversional method has been used to determine the dependence of the effective activation energy on the extent of degradation. The initial stages of the process show a dramatic difference in the activation energies that were found to be 60 and 220 kJ mol -1 for respective degradations in nitrogen and air.

The thermal degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) has been studied under nitrogen and air. The presence of oxygen increases the initial decomposition temperature by 70°C. The stabilizing effect of oxygen is explained by the formation of thermally stable radical species that suppress unzipping of the polymer. This assumption is supported by the experimental fact that introduction of NO into the gaseous atmosphere increases the initial decomposition temperature by more than 100°C.

SUMMARY: The thermal degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) has been studied under nitrogen and air. The presence of oxygen increases the initial decomposition temperature by 70 8 C. The stabilizing effect of oxygen is explained by the formation of thermally stable radical species that suppress unzipping of the polymer. This assumption is supported by the experimental fact that introduction of NO into the gaseous atmosphere increases the initial decomposition temperature by more than 100 8 C.