High-resolution thermogravimetry of cellulose esters

Cellulose dinitrate (CDN), cellulose diacetate (CDA), and cellulose triacetate (CTA) were subjected to high-resolution thermogravimetry (TG) at a variable heating rate in air. The TG curves, the derivative TG curves, the second derivative TG curves, and heating rate curves are discussed. The thermal degradation temperature and kinetic parameters are presented and compared to those obtained with traditional TG at a constant heating rate. The degradation process of the cellulose esters is speculated. Among the three cellulose esters, CDN exhibits the lowest degradation temperature of (213°C) but the largest degradation activation energy of (237–269 kJ/mol). © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 573–578, 1999