A comparative analysis of nylon 610 production: Thermal efficiency and environmental considerations

Nylon 610, a versatile polyamide, is widely used in industrial applications requiring high mechanical and thermal stability. This study investigates the synthesis of nylon 610 using two different methods: sebacic acid and sebacoyl chloride. This study conducts a comparative analysis to evaluate each method's thermal properties, reaction conditions, environmental impact, and feasibility. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to characterize the resulting polymers. The results demonstrated that nylon 610 synthesized using sebacic acid exhibited higher thermal stability, greater enthalpy of melting, and sharper crystallization peaks, indicating a more organized polymer structure. Additionally, the sebacic acid method proved to be safer and environmentally friendly, producing water as the sole by-product, which is advantageous for large-scale applications. In contrast, the sebacoyl chloride method, while faster, required more stringent safety measures due to the production of hydrochloric acid (HCl). This study highlights the sebacic acid method as a more sustainable and efficient approach for synthesizing nylon 610, particularly for applications demanding high thermal performance.