Analysis of gases emitted during carbonization degradation of polyflavonoid tannin/furanic rigid foams

The gases emitted during thermal degradation of tannin based rigid foams have been monitored during the process of carbonization under nitrogen flow. The gases have been trapped on multi-bed solid-phase adsorbent (SPA) tubes and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Toluene and dihydroxybenzenes have been identified throughout as the most common degradation compounds obtained. Phenols and xylenes, formed from the degradation of the polyflavonoid tannin structure, are also well represented in the emitted gases. A few furanic compounds are also present. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.