Thermogravimetry of Polymers

Abstract

Thermogravimetry (TG) is the study of the relationship between a sample's mass and its temperature. It can be used to study any physical (such as evaporation) or chemical process (such as thermal degradation) that causes a material to lose volatile gases. Polymers have different thermal stabilities and thus the qualitative “fingerprint” afforded by TG in terms of temperature range, extent and kinetics of decomposition provides a rapid means to distinguish one polymer from another using only milligram quantities of material. Experiments are most commonly carried out under conditions where the temperature is increased in a linear fashion with time or the sample is held isothermally at an elevated temperature, although more sophisticated temperature profiles are occasionally used for compositional and kinetic analysis. Processes which do not result in a change in sample mass are not detected by TG. Therefore simultaneous measurements by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are useful. Volatile decomposition products may be detected and identified (e.g. by infrared (IR) spectrometry or mass spectrometry (MS)) in order to elucidate the mechanism of mass changes. TG is used for quantitative compositional analysis of polymers, lifetime prediction and kinetic studies, making the technique invaluable in all stages of polymer development, fabrication and component testing.

Fibers Obtained from Alginate, Chitosan and Hybrid Used in the Development of Scaffolds

“…The decomposition of the polymers can be analyzed, indicating weight loss of the sample or water evaporation 33 . The TGA results are analyzed in Figure 4.…”

Development and Evaluation of Matrices Composed of β-cyclodextrin and Biodegradable Polyesters in the Controlled Delivery of Pindolol

“…Besides, the chemical shifts of C-2,3,5 signals in the spectra of β-CD/PCL100 and β-CD/PLA100 polymeric samples were altered compared to native β-CD. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of polymers primarily provides information about thermal stability, and then, it allows to find out the decomposition mechanisms for the investigated materials [ 35 ]. TGA was carried out to investigate the influence of the β-CD incorporation on the thermal stability of the obtained polymers.…”

Kinetics of Cellulose Deposition in Developing Cotton Fibers Studied by Thermogravimetric Analysis

“…By extending the study beyond 24 dpa, the maturation process of the developing cotton fibers was studied as well. Thus, fibers were harvested at 10,14,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,27,30,36,46, and 56 dpa. Figure S1 shows the list of samples.…”

“…Thermogravimetry is the study of the relationship between the mass of a sample and its temperature, and it can be used to study physical and chemical processes, e.g., degradation. TGA can be used for quantitative compositional analysis of polymers, lifetime prediction, and kinetic analysis [23]. Abidi et al [24] reported relationships between cotton fiber micronaire, maturity, and fineness, and their thermal degradation properties.…”