1P-32 PDF
Analysis of the thermal degradation of poly(butylene terephthalate) by matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry
We have reported an investigation on the isothermal degradation of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT). Several isothermal degradation experiments on PBT were conducted in the temperature range of 120 - 180 °C. The structural characterization of the degradation products was performed by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The MALDI-TOF mass spectra of the thermally degraded PBT sample showed cyclic oligomers and three main series of oligomer products with different end groups, which were alcohol/alcohol, alcohol/carboxyl, and carboxyl/carboxyl. The ratio of carboxyl/carboxyl end group increased with time, depending on the temperature. On the other hand, antioxidant was disappeared before an abrupt increase of carboxyl/carboxyl end group.