Spectroscopic and Mechanistic Investigation of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) Thermal Decomposition Using TG–FTIR Coupled Analysis

• Abdul Hamid Elghemi

  Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gharyan, Gharyan, Libya

  Author

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is a widely utilized polymer in pharmaceutical formulations, nanocomposites, biomedical devices, and membrane fabrication. Despite numerous thermogravimetric studies, detailed mechanistic insight into its volatile degradation products remains limited. This study aims to investigate the thermal decomposition mechanism of PVP using thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (TG–FTIR) under inert and oxidative atmospheres. Degradation stages, evolved gaseous species, and structural transformations were systematically analyzed between 30–800 °C. Results are expected to reveal multi-step degradation involving dehydration, pyrrolidone ring opening, backbone scission, and carbonaceous residue formation. Identification of CO₂, CO, amide fragments, vinylpyrrolidone monomers, and nitrogen-containing volatiles will clarify the degradation pathway. The study provides mechanistic confirmation complementary to kinetic models and enhances predictive understanding of PVP behavior during sterilization, extrusion, pyrolysis, and composite processing.

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