Kinetic study of the thermal decomposition of monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA) and methyldiethanolamine (MDEA)

- Steric impediment inhibits the reaction between the ethanolamine and CO2.
- The efficiency of CO2 capture is inversely related to the thermal stability.
- Oxygen contributes to the decomposition of DEA and TEA at 120 °C.
- The decomposition time of DEA in an air atmosphere and 7.5 times longer in an N2 atmosphere at 40 °C.
- The presence of the methyl radical increases the thermal stability of MDEA.