Evaporation and decomposition of Triton X-100 under various gases and temperatures

The thermal behavior of Triton X-100 (surfactant in PTFE dispersion) under various gases was studied with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and IR spectrophotometry below 350 degree C. In nitrogen or argon gas, Triton X-100 evaporated without decomposition. However, in air or oxygen containing gas, thermal oxidation occurred, where a strong nu sub(co) band appeared in IR spectra. Oxygen increased the evaporation rate of Triton X-100 remarkably. The heat of vaporization was about 16 kcal mol super(-1) which is independent of the oxygen concentration.