An XPS investigation of thermal degradation and charring of cross-linked polyisoprene and polychloroprene

Our interest in butadiene-containing polymers had led to an investigation of the thermal degradation of polyisoprene, PIP, and polychloroprene, PCP. The connection between cross-linking and thermal stability through an examination of PIP and PCP has been reported. Like the course of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) the cross-linking and charring of polymers subjected to heat can also be experimentally observed as function of temperatures by the pseudo-in-situ XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy). Data acquisition of Cls spectra as function of temperature permits us to explore: (1) the extent of cross-linking and/or carbon accumulation of systems of PCP and PIP with/without initiators, BPO and DCP, via the analysis of the relative intensity versus temperature; and (2) the onset of charring by determining the limiting transition temperature (LTGRL) Of the graphite-like structure and particularly the plasmon loss (DeltaE(L)) (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.