Tracking the complete degradation lifecycle of poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate): From induced photoluminescence to nitrogen-doped nano-graphene precursor residue

•Superglue (a polymer called poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate)) degrades at moderate temperatures by reverting to a volatile monomer, but also has a side-reaction that forms a carbonaceous by-product.•During thermal degradation, superglue also forms a luminescent by-product.•The photoluminescence observed from heated superglue is depolarized and shifts toward lower energy emission as the thermal degradation progresses.•The final end product of superglue degrading by heating is a non-luminescent graphene-like residue.