Thermal degradation of some crosslinked acrylic copolymers functionalized as ion exchangers

Thermal degradation of some acrylic crosslinked copolymers based on divinyl benzene, ethyl acrylate and acrylonitrile as such, or functionalized with various amines was examined by thermogravimetry in the range of temperatures between 40 and 600 degreesC. The original copolymers decompose in two stages, and the functionalized copolymers in three stages. In both cases the main decomposition is between 250 and 450 degreesC. The decomposition of the crosslinked copolymers depends on the nature of copolymer, the amount of divinyl benzene used as the crosslinked agent and on the extent of conversion. The decomposition proper of the functionalized copolymers depends on the nature of both the copolymer and of the amine used in the aminolysis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.