Comments on the validity and utility of the different methods for kinetic analysis of thermogravimetric data

This work deals with the kinetic analysis of data obtained in thermobalance . It consists of a review of kinetic models used for material decomposition , and also of the methods used for the analysis. The topics presented compr ise numerical problems related with kinetic analysis, best conditions for a kinetic run, discussion about correlation vs. actual models, nth order mod els, more complex models (models using a great number of reactions, models using various fractions), calibration of the temperature, position of the t hermocouple, sample mass and particle size. Other topics treated are the va lidation of kinetic models using MS data and the different models available for kinetic studies in thermobalance. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.