Pyrolysis of furfural-acetone resin as matrix precursor for new carbon materials

In order to increase the understanding of the pyrolysis mechanism, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetry-mass spectrometric coupling technique (TG-MS) were used to study the pyrolysis behavior of furfural-acetone resin used for new carbon materials. The curing and carbonization mechanisms of furfural-acetone resin were mainly investigated; structural changes and volatile products evolved during pyrolysis were analyzed. The results indicate that, during pyrolysis of furfural-acetone resin adding 7% (mass fraction) phosphorous acid as curing agent, the rupture of C—O bond in the five-membered heterocycle firstly takes place to release oxygen atoms and then does the C—H bond, which enable the molecular chain to cross-link and condense, then lead to the formation of three dimensional networking structure. With the increase of pyrolyzing temperature, the scission of methyl and the opening of furan ring are generated. As a result, the recomposition of molecular chain structure is generated and a hexatomic fused ring containing double bonds is built. The main volatile products during pyrolysis of furfural- acetone resin are H2O, and a small mount of CO, CO2 and CH4. At elevated temperatures, dehydrogenation takes place and hydrogen gas is evolved.