Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Studies on the Thermal Degradation of Polyacrylonitrile Copolymers.

Abstract

Poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) and copolymers of PAN containing comonomers of vinyl acetate (VAc), methacrylic acid (MAA), acrylamide (AM) and other acrylics are important precursors to the formation of carbon fibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has proved to be an excellent technique with which to study where cyclization of the polymer chain takes place. A comparison of the rates of degradation of each of these copolymers at various temperatures and under reduced pressure is presented. This comparison indicates that each comonomer initiates cyclization of the nitrile groups, with the MAA and AM comonomers actually lowering the temperature at which the cyclization reaction occurs. Degradation mechanisms for each copolymer, consistent with the infrared results obtained under reduced pressure, are advanced. (Author)

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 21, 1980
Accession Number
ADA095270

Entities

People

  • George T. Sivy

Organizations

  • Pennsylvania State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkenes
  • Amides
  • Carbon Fibers
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Copolymers
  • Crystal Structure
  • Fibers
  • Infrared Spectra
  • Infrared Spectroscopy
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy

Readers

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Plasma Physics.
  • Polymer Science and Technology

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics