Determination of the residual monomer concentration of ??caprolactam in polyamide?6 using thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy gas analysis

For the anionic polymerization of ?-caprolactam to polyamide-6 residual monomer concentration in final polymer is an important characteristic. To determine this concentration, a fast and fail-safe method was developed, which couples thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) gas analysis. FTIR allows identification types gasses released during heat treatment. Calibration absorbance corresponding mass loss TGA quantitative evaluation release. Low-heating rates powdery samples guarantee high-precision measurements.