IONIC LIQUID 1-ETHYL-3-METHYLIMIDAZOLIUM TETRAFLUOROBORATE AS GREENER SOLVENT FOR DEGRADATION OF NYLON - 6

Abstract

This work consist of the degradation of waste plastic by using the ionic liquid 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([emim][BF4]) as a greener solvent for the recovery of monomer instead of using the commercial hazardous solvents. This method provides the green approach for the recyclable of waste plastics and thus for the clean environment. In this work degradation of nylon-6 (polyamide) performed by distillation method under normal pressure in nitrogen atmosphere at about 280-310 degree Celsius. The degradation took place within five hours. The monomer є- caprolactum obtained by distillation method was in appreciable yield and the recovered ionic liquids can be used for four to five times without changing its efficiency. Addition of catalytic amount of DMAP (N, N-dimethylaminopyridine) promoted the degradation of nylon-6 effectively. In this work the degradation of nylon-6 were carried out at different temperature and at different catalyst concentration. The maximum yield of є-caprolactum was obtained at 10 wt% of DMAP and at 300 degree Celsius, and the recovery of ionic liquid was also maximum.