Temperature influence on volatile compounds emitted during thermo-oxidative degradation of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)

The emission of volatile compounds formed during thermo-oxidative degradation of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) was studied under isothermal conditions. The experiments were performed in a tubular furnace with a 0.025 m super(3)/h air flow, at the temperatures of 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 degree C. The weight loss of PTT and the amount of the solid degradation products were determined by gravimetric analysis. The volatile compounds were identified and quantified using gas chromatography and colorimetry methods. Analyses showed that the emitted volatiles are complex mixtures which consist of carbon oxides, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes (including acrolein) and allyl alcohol. The temperature influence on the emission and composition of the volatile compounds evolved from PTT was discussed.