PYROLYSIS MASS-SPECTROMETRIC ANALYSIS OF STYRENE-BUTADIENE BLOCK AND RANDOM COPOLYMERS

Direct pyrolysis mass spectrometric analysis of a styrene-butadiene-st yrene block copolymer indicated that thermal decomposition of each blo ck shows a resemblance to the related homopolymer, giving a possibilit y of differentiation of blocks. However, the random analog, the styren e butadiene rubber, degraded in a manner that is somewhat in between i n nature of the thermal characteristics of both homopolymers. This tec hnique shows promise to differentiate thermal behaviors of each sequen ce in block polymers if any exist. Indirect pyrolysis mass spectrometr ic analysis gave no clear evidence for differentiation of the nature a nd the composition of the copolymers. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved