A TGA/FTIR and Mass Spectral Study on the Thermal Degradation of Bisphenol A Polycarbonate

Authors

Bok Nam Jang, Marquette UniversityFollow
Charles A. Wilkie, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2004

Source Publication

Polymer Degradation and Stability

Source ISSN

0141-3910

Abstract

The thermal degradation of polycarbonate under nitrogen was studied using TGA/FTIR, GC/MS and LC/MS as a function of mass loss. The gases evolved during degradation were inspected by in situ FTIR and then the evolved products were collected and analysed using FTIR, GC–MS and LC–MS. The structures of the evolved products are assigned on the basis of FTIR and GC/MS results. The main thermal degradation pathways follow chain scission of the isopropylidene linkage, and hydrolysis/alcoholysis and rearrangement of carbonate linkages. In the case of chain scission, it was proposed that methyl scission of isopropylidene occurs first, according to the bond dissociation energies. The presence of carbonate structures, 1,1′-bis(4-hydroxyl phenyl) ethane and bisphenol A in significant amounts, supports the view that chain scission and hydrolysis/alcoholysis are the main degradation pathways for the formation of the evolved products.

Comments

Accepted version. Polymer Degradation and Stability, Vol. 86, No. 3 (December 2004): 419-430. DOI. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Jang, Bok Nam and Wilkie, Charles A., "A TGA/FTIR and Mass Spectral Study on the Thermal Degradation of Bisphenol A Polycarbonate" (2004). Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications. 141.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/chem_fac/141