Thermal decomposition of glycidyl azide polymer studied by synchrotron photoionization mass spectrometry

In this work, the thermal decomposition reactions and products of glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) at low pressure have been investigated by tunable synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization and molecular-beam sampling mass spectrometry. It has been observed that thermal decomposition of GAP began at a lower temperature (about 70 degrees C), compared to about 170 degrees C in the air. Most observed species in the thermal decomposition process have been clearly identified by measurements of the photoionization mass spectrum and photoionization efficiency (PIE) spectra. Many species have been detected at the initiation of the degradation. Compared with previous studies on thermal decomposition of GAP, some free radicals, such as C2H3O, C3H5O, C6H6N, C3H5ON3, and so forth, have been identified in the present work. The formation mechanisms of some important radicals have been discussed, and the most probable reaction routines have also been proposed, which should be of importance in understanding the energy-releasing mechanism of GAP thermal decomposition.