Synthesis and thermal investigation by TG–FTIR–MS analysis of some functionalized acrylic copolymers and magnetic composites with Fe3O4

•Acrylic copolymer based on divinyl benzene, ethyl acrylate and acrylonitrile.•Functionalized copolymer with triethylenetetramine through the aminolysis reaction.•Magnetic composites obtained in situ in presence of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles.•Thermo-kinetic parameters of the acrylic copolymer and magnetic composites.•Evolved gases analysis by the TG–FTIR–MS technique.

The synthesis of some acrylic crosslinked copolymers based on divinyl benzene, ethyl acrylate and acrylonitrile as such, or functionalized with triethylenetetramine by aminolysis reaction has been studied. Also, the magnetic composites obtained in situ with Fe3O4 nanoparticles, are presented. The magnetite amount included in the copolymer matrix, calculated from the resulting residue at thermal degradation was 9–10 wt.%. The thermal stability and evolved gas analysis were examined by thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. TG–FTIR–MS analysis revealed that different gaseous species were detected during the heating process of the copolymers: water, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, ketones and alkyl, aromatic, amine derivatives. The thermal stability of the aminolysed copolymer is lower, because beside the existing ester linkages in the initial copolymer structure other chemical bonds by the aminolysis reaction have appeared, such as HC–NH or CO–NH less thermally stable.