The Effect of AlI₃ Nanoadditive on the Thermal Behavior of PMMA Subjected to Thermoanalytical Py-GC-MS Technique

Thermal degradation of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was studied by using inorganic salt of aluminum triiodide (AlI₃). The composites of PMMA were prepared with AlI₃ by changing the concentration of the AlI₃ additive from 2% to 10% (w/w). The PMMA composites with AlI₃ were characterized by TGA, DTG, SEM, FTIR, HBT, and Py-GC-MS techniques. The FTIR peaks of PMMA composite at 1316, 786, and 693 cm^-1 justify the chemical association between PMMA and AlI₃. TGA study shows that the stability of PMMA is enhanced by the addition of the AlI₃ additive. SEM analysis represented that there is a relationship between polymer and additive when they are mixed at the molecular level. The horizontal burning test (HBT) also confirmed that the AlI₃ additive produced the flame retarding properties in PMMA polymer. The burning rate of composite with 10% of AlI₃ additive decreases five times as much as compared to pure PMMA polymer. Py-GC-MS analysis deduced that PMMA composite produced less toxic and environment-friendly substances (CO₂) by the influence of AlI₃ additive as compared to neat PMMA.