Kinetic study on the non-catalysed and catalysed degradation of polyamide 6 with isothermal and dynamic methods

The catalysed or non-catalysed thermal decomposition of polyamide 6 could be an alternative to current recycling processes, where the depolymerization of polyamide 6 to the monomer e-caprolactam is performed with steam and phosphoric acid (Zimmer AG). Therefore, in this work the formal kinetic parameters of the thermal degradation of polyamide 6 are determined by means of isothermal and dynamic measurements. The functional amide group of polyamide 6 enables catalysis of the decomposition. Therefore, also the formal kinetic parameters of thermal degradation in presence of phosphoric acid and sodium/potassium hydroxide are determined. A mechanistic interpretation is given for the thermal degradation of polyamide 6 and the catalysed decomposition reactions.