Thermal stability of high temperature polymers and their sulfonated derivatives under inert and saturated vapor conditions

The thermal stability of several aromatic polymers and their sulfonated derivatives were evaluated under inert and saturated vapor conditions. Most of the sulfonated derivatives were much less stable than their unsulfonated analogues under inert conditions, but only slightly less stable in saturated water vapor. Decomposition analysis done in one atmosphere superheated steam was thermally driven and resulted in the loss of sulfonic acid groups and in fragmentation of the polymer chain. Analysis of sulfonated polymer residues following saturated vapor decomposition confirmed that aromatic desulfonation was occurring under these conditions. Evidence for the hydrolysis of the carbonyl linking group of polyether(ether)ketone under these conditions was also found. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.