Depolymerization of Nylon Waste by Hydrolysis using surfactant and its Kinetic Study

Objectives: Polymers are nonbiodegradable, and they have become a big environmental issue; hence, many recycling processes have been introduced. By recycling nylon 6,6 waste, the process can reduce the environmental impact which is associated with the production of new materials. Depolymerization offers opportunities for the development of innovative chemical recycling process. Methods: Nylon waste is depolymerized through acidic hydrolysis concentration of HCL 5N in presence of catalysts sodium lauryl sulphate at favourable temperature 800C shows the changes in the amount of regaining of the monomer that is hexamethylene diamine (HMD) into Dibenzoyl derivative of hexamethylene diamine (DBHMD) in 120 min. The product was characterised by FTIR analysis. Findings: Amount of DBHMD is directly proportional to the amount of HMD produced which can be used as the criteria to determine the efficiency of the method. The nature of catalyst and their amount both are found to affect the yield of product by significant value. About 84% product (DBHMD) have been obtained by taking 0.03 g of SLS and 3g of nylon waste was refluxed by heating about 120 min and its rate of reaction was found to be 8.90 × 10-3 min-1. Kinetics shows pseudo 1st order. Novelty: This research provides an easy and quick depolymerisation of such nonbiodegradable wastes Nylon-6,6 compared to other processes. Keywords: Depolymerization; Nylon Waste kinetic; Sodium Lauryl Sulphate; Acid Hydrolysis