Thermal Decomposition Behavior of Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) with Different Hydroxyl Content

Abstract

The thermal decomposition behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with two different hydroxyl contents, 88 and 99%, was investigated. UV-Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and TGA-FTIR were used to detect the volatile and nonvolatile products of the thermal decomposition of PVA. The results suggest that the PVA, after thermal treatment, can form chromophoric polyene structure, as well as carbonyl groups. The PVA with 88% hydroxyl content underwent slower decomposition below 280°C and generated water and carboxyl acid as the dominant volatile products, however, as for the PVA with 99% hydroxyl content, the dominant volatile products were water, unsaturated aldehydes, and other unsaturated compounds.