Thermal degradation behavior and kinetics of porous polymer based on high functionality components

Abstract Two kinds of porous polymer were prepared based on high functionality components. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is used to compare the thermal degradation behavior and kinetics of these two materials. The thermogravimetric tests of rigid polyurethane foam (H‐RPUF) and polyurea aerogel (H‐PUA) were carried out in nitrogen atmosphere at different heating rates. The thermal degradation characteristics of the porous polymer were obtained. The apparent activation energy ( E a ) of thermal degradation of the porous polymer was investigated by model‐free methods. The results showed that the thermal degradation temperature and ash content of H‐RPUF were higher than those of H‐PUA, and the volatile content was lower. With the rise of heating rate, thermal hysteresis effect of the two porous polymer was relatively high, while the release amount of volatiles was unchanged. For the Kissinger method, E a of H‐PUA and H‐RPUF was 212.8 kJ mol −1 and 157.4 kJ mol −1 , respectively. According to Starink method, the average activation energy of H‐PUA and H‐RPUF was 220.2 kJ mol −1 and 107.2 kJ mol −1 , respectively. Obtained by Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa model, the average activation energy of H‐PUA and H‐RPUF was 219.0 kJ mol −1 and 111.5 kJ mol −1 , respectively. The data obtained from the three models all show that E a of thermal degradation of H‐PUA is higher than that of H‐RPUF, and it is less likely to decompose.