Thermal decomposition and carbonization mechanism of poly‐para‐phenyleneoxadiazole

Abstract

Abstract Thermal decomposition and carbonization mechanism of poly‐ para ‐phenylene‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole were investigated using FT‐IR, thermogravimetry, gas‐analysis, XPS, 13 C‐CP/MASFT‐NMR, and elemental analysis. At temperatures above 500°C, the decomposition reaction proceeds preferentially on the oxadiazole ring, eliminating p ‐aminocyanobenzene and p ‐dicyanobenzene. Formation of carbodiimide compounds and their coupling followed in residual compounds, whose products are important intermediates leading to a planar and polyconjugated nitrogen‐containing (e.g., graphite‐like) carbon precursor.