Thermal characterization of materials using evolved gas analysis

Thermal analysis combined with evolved gas analysis has been used for some time. Thermogravimetry (TG) coupled with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy (TG/FTIR), Thermogravimetry (TG) coupled with mass spectrometry (TG/MS), and Thermogravimetry (TG) coupled with GC/MS offers structural identification of compounds evolving during thermal processes. These evolved gas analysis (EGA) techniques allow to evaluate the chemical pathway of the degradation reaction by determining the decomposition products. In this paper the TG/FTIR, TG/MS, and Pyrolysis/GC-MS systems will be described and their applications in the study of several materials will be discussed, including the analysis of the degradation mechanisms of organically modified clays, polymers, and coal blends.