Analytical pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (py-GC/MS) of poly(ether urethane)s, poly(ether urea)s and poly(ether urethane-urea)s

The results of a pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (py-GC/MS) study of several poly(ether urethane), poly(urea), and poly(ether urethane-urea) materials are reported. Mechanisms for the formation of pyrolytic degradation products are proposed. These can be used to differentiate between poly(ether urethane)s, poly(urea)s, and poly(ether urethane-urea)s, as well as between different poly(ether urethane)s, different poly(urea)s or different poly(ether urethane-urea)s. In conjunction with Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermal analysis techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis, py-GC/MS provides information that allows the characterization and identification of these polymers.