Thermal decomposition characteristics of poly(phenylene sulfide) by stepwise Py-GC/MS and TG/MS techniques

The mechanism and kinetic model for thermal decomposition behavior of poly (phenylene sulfide) (PPS) was studied by stepwise pyrolysis/gas chromatogra phy/mass spectrometry (stepwise Py-GC/MS) and thermogravimetry analysis/mas s spectrometry (TG/ MS) techniques. The composition of evolved gases was de termined by Py-GC/MS analysis. The mechanism and kinetic model of the pyrol ytic behavior of PPS was investigated by TG/MS from room temperature to 900 degrees C. The mechanism indicated apparently one-stage pyrolysis, mainly by depolymerization, main chain random scission and carbonization. The init ial scission of PPS was depolymerization and main chain random scission to evolve benzenethiol and hydrogen sulfide, respectively, as major products; while depolymerization dominated in lower temperature pyrolysis and main ch ain random scission dominated in higher temperature pyrolysis. The chain tr ansfer of carbonization also produced in initial pyrolysis and gradually do minated at the higher pyrolysis temperature to form the high char yield of solid residue. Based on the analytical result, the kinetic model of pyrolys is was proposed and calculated. The calculated kinetics was compared with t he experimental result, which was quite good consistence. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.