Thermal Decomposition of Polyacrylamide Derivatives: A Comparative Study

This study examines the thermal decomposition of polyacrylamide (PAM) and its alkylated derivatives (PAM-C8 to PAM-C22) using thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicate distinct weight loss profiles between PAM and its derivatives. Notably, PAM-C8 to PAM-C22 exhibit a weight loss of approximately 17% up to 210°C, whereas PAM demonstrates a lower weight loss of 11%. This difference can be attributed to the lack of lengthy alkyl chains in PAM's molecular structure, resulting in a decrease in bound water content and, consequently, a lower degree of weight loss. The second stage of decomposition occurs in the temperature range of 210℃-440℃, corresponding to the pyrolysis temperature where the C-N chemical bonds and sulfonic acid groups undergo degradation. These findings highlight the influence of alkyl chain length on the thermal stability and decomposition behavior of polyacrylamide derivatives.