Characterization of degradation products of polyethylene oxide by pyrolysis mass spectrometry

The techniques of direct and indirect (evolved gas analysis) pyrolysis MS are used to characterize the thermal degradation products of polyethylene oxide. Using direct pyrolysis MS technique the main degradation process is determined to be due to CO and CC scissions yielding fragments characteristic of the polymer. Evolved gas analysis indicates formation of small molecular stable compounds such as C2H5OC2H5, CH3CHO, CO2, CO and C2H4. © 1994.