On the thermogravimetric analysis of polymers: Polyethylene oxide powder and nanofibers

Thermogravimetric analysis of polyethylene oxide (powder and nanofibers obtained by force spinning water or chloroform solutions oxide) was studied using different theoretical models such as Friedman Flynn-Wall-Ozawa. A semiempirical approach for estimating the “sigmoid activation energy” from thermal degradation suggested confirmed experimental data on PEO powder nanofibers' mats. The equation allowed calculating a single thermogram heating rate without requiring any model actual complex set chemical reactions involved in process. For solutions), increased increased. sigmoid energy mats exhibited small decrease Thermograms' derivatives were fitted to determine coordinates inflection points. compared determined Flynn-Wall-Ozawa model. Similarities between discussed. Significant differences energies reported.