Thermal Degradation and Weight Loss Analysis of PAM and Alkyl-Modified PAMs

Additionally, the removal of unreacted monomers and residual solvents takes place. Notably, the weight loss of PAM-C8 to PAM-C22 up to temperatures of 210°C amounts to approximately 17%, whereas PAM exhibits a lower weight loss of 11%. This difference can be attributed to the absence of long alkyl chains in PAM's molecular structure, resulting in reduced bound water content and, consequently, a lesser degree of weight loss. The second stage corresponds to the decomposition of the polymers within the temperature range of 210℃-440℃. This temperature range represents the pyrolysis temperature at which the C-N chemical bonds and sulfonic acid groups undergo degradation.