Investigation of thermal degradation of polystyrene with the aid of thermal analysis

When the DTA of polystyrene is carried out in air in a platinum sample holder, an anomalously high endothermic effect is observed. This effect was found to be related to gas-phase catalytic styrene oxidation occurring on the surface of both operating and reference platinum sample holders. Methodological recommendations are given concerning the DTA procedure for organic substances, making it possible to avoid this type of anomaly.