Thermal Decomposition of Azide Polymers

Abstract

Abstract Thermal decomposition of polyglycidyl azide (GAP) and bis(azidomethyl)oxetane/tetrahydrofuran copolymer (BAMO/THF) was studied by TGA and DSC in helium atmosphere, which was showing overall first‐order kinetics. The additional azide groups at terminal position in the molecular structure decomposed independently and increased the rate of decomposition. However, the decomposition kinetics was less affected by the additional azide groups in the main chain. The decomposition properties of aged polymer Samples were the same as those of untreated ones. Catocene significantly altered the decomposition temperatures of GAP and BAMO/THF. The speak temperature of DSC thermogram changed from 533 K to 494 K in GAP and from 535 K to 498 K in BAMO/THF. Like UV treatment, BAMO/THF with catocene was thermally cross‐linked during the aging at 343 K. Although BAMO/THF with catocene produced rubbery solids from the initial viscous liquids, there was no significant difference between the rate of decomposition of treated sample and that of untreated one.