This study covers the thermal degradation of polycarbonate by means of
Thermogravimetric Analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared
spectrometer (TGA-FTIR). Thermogravimetric analysis of polycarbonate was
carried out at four different heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20?C per
minute from 25?C to 1000?C under nitrogen atmosphere. The results indicated
that polycarbonate was decomposed in the temperature range of 425-600?C. The
kinetic parameters, such as activation energy, pre-exponential factor and
reaction order were determined using five different kinetic models; namely
Coast-Redfern, Friedman, Kissinger, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), and
Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS). Overall decomposition reaction order was
determined by Coats-Redfern method as 1.5. Average activation energy was
calculated as 150.42, 230.76, 216.97, and 218.56 kJ/mol by using Kissinger,
Friedman, FWO, and KAS models, respectively. Furthermore, the main gases
released during the pyrolysis of polycarbonate were determined as CO2, CH4,
CO, H2O, and other lower molecular weight hydrocarbons such as aldehydes,
ketones and carbonyls by using thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with
Fourier transform infrared spectrometer.
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