Optimisation Study of Efficiency of Ionic Liquids as Catalyst for Hydrolysis of Waste Nylon-66

With the increasing rate of production and usage of nylon-66, the environmental effect of plastics is a global concern. The widespread and careless use and disposal of these non-biodegradable materials has severely disrupted the environment and its biodiversity. To overcome these problems, ionic liquids have shown efficient potential as catalysts for hydrolysis waste nylon-66 into dibenzoyl derivatives of hexamethylenediamine (DBHMD) and adipic acid. Ionic liquids [emim]BF4, [bmim]BF4, and [bmim]PF6 successfully catalysed the hydrolysis of waste nylon-66 at different extents. 1.9 g (.1 mol) of [emim]BF4 has shown the maximum catalytic efficiency during hydrolysis of nylon-66 at 120 °C for five hours. In comparison, 2.3 g (.1 mol) of [bmim]BF4 and 2.8 g (.1 mol) of [bmim]PF6 showed the maximum catalytic properties at 120 °C for seven and nine hours, respectively. However, the hydrophilic nature of IL [emim]BF4 has shown more efficiency as a catalyst in the hydrolysis of waste nylon-66.