Polymer Degradation Mechanism Reselection through Derivatization for Qualitative Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Analysis.

A poly(vinylcarboxylic acid) and its analogue alkyl ester exhibited significantly different thermal degradation mechanisms under pyrolysis conditions. The greatly enhanced monomer production of poly(alkylvinylcarboxylate) during pyrolysis makes possible qualitative analysis of poly(vinylcarboxylic acid) through its derivatized alkyl ester. In this study, copolymers containing poly(methacrylic acid) and methacrylic acid were used to demonstrate the pyrolysis gas chromatography qualitative analysis of derivatized polymer. The thermal decomposition mechanisms of poly(methacrylic acid), and poly(methyl methacrylate) were studied. The advantages and disadvantages of this derivatized process as related to Py-GC analysis are discussed.