Abstract
Simultaneous TG-MS (TG: thermogravimetry, MS: mass spectrometry) measurement, a mass spectrometer connected with a thermogravimetry by a transfer line and an interface or by the skimmer coupling, was used to investigate decomposition of urea.
A simple decomposition reaction of urea to form ammonia and cyanic acid (or isocyanic acid) was determined. The low intensity ratio of m/z 43 to m/z 17 was attributed to that the cyanic acid react with water to form carbon dioxide.
Polymerization and decomposition of the polymers were more predominant later than the simple decomposition after the first stage.
