From synthesis to thermal degradation: characterizing N-(2-aminobenzoyl)-chitosan hydrogel and its kinetic properties
摘要
N-(2-aminobenzoyl)-chitosan hydrogel (ABCs-HG) was cross-linked to form a hydrogel that allowed the creation of a material capable of retaining large amounts of water. The chemical structure formed was validated via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), exhibiting spectral changes characteristic of the reaction. Morphological examination via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) resulted in a smooth and even microstructure. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and derivative Thermogravimetry (DTG), carried out in a nitrogen flow with different heating rates (5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min–1), showed a major decomposition temperature of ≈ 280 °C, which is very close to that of the pure chitosan (≈ 310 °C). The activation energy (Ea), determined using the isoconversional methods Flynn–Wall–Ozowa (FWO), Kissinger–Akahira–Sunosaa (KAS), Málek–Kissinger–Nishiharab (MKN), Tang, Ortega, Kissinger, Popesco, Starink, and Friedman, showed a mean value of ≈ 231.5 kJ.mol−1. The respective thermodynamic values were found to possess an activation enthalpy ΔH* of approximately 226.93 kJ.mol−1, a Gibbs free energy ΔG* of 119.74 kJ.mol−1, and a positive activation entropy ΔS*. The results gave information regarding the process nature and spontaneity. Finally, the thermal stability of the hydrogel was examined at different temperatures to obtain more information about its thermal stability and storage life.