Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis of potassium bicarbonate contaminated cellulose

Abstract

When samples undergo a complicated set of simultaneous and sequential reactions, as cellulose does on heating, results of thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses are difficult to interpret. Nevertheless, careful comparison of pure and contaminated samples, pyrolyzed under identical conditions, can yield useful information. In these experiments TGA and DTA curves were obtained, in air and in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen). with "ash-free" cellulose (ash content <0.01%), "pure" cellulose (ash content ~0.15%), and "treated" cellulose (1.5% KHCO₃, added). The results show that as little as 0.15% inorganic contamination can significantly affect the pyrolysis reactions undergone by cellulose. The addition of 1.5 % KHCO₃, lowers by some 80°C the temperature at which significant decomposition begins, but essentially eliminates the flame-producing reactions in favor of those leading to glowing combustion.

Citation

Broido, A. 1966. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis of potassium bicarbonate contaminated cellulose. Pyrodynamics. 4: 243-251.