Kinetics of Powder-Free Laboratory Examination Gloves at 345°C and 405°C by Thermogravimetric Analysis
Nasrollah Hamidi *
Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg SC 29117, USA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
At two consecutive temperatures, 345°C and 405°C as well the two thermal scans in between these two temperatures the kinetics of thermolysis of powder-free laboratory safety gloves (LG) was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Three methods were used to evaluate the kinetics parameters related to the decomposition of LG at 345°C and 405°C isotherms. The results of the study indicated that the kinetics parmeters depends on the model to choose. The reaction at 354°C based on the models could be second order, fractional or many zeroth order concurrent reactions. The activation energy of thermalizes (Ea) was estimated by thermal scans, and isotherms at 308, 313, 333, 336, and 345°C. The value of Ea for the process at lower temperature was near to Ea corresponding to evaporation of volatiles, and at higher temperatures Ea was below constituent chemical bond energies as well below of Ea for decomposition of rubber in tires.
Keywords: Kinetics, thermogravimetric analysis, powder free examination gloves, examination gloves, latex gloves, pyrolysis of gloves, neoprene and thermalizes