Poly(ε-caprolactone) Degradation Under Acidic and Alkaline Conditions

Abstract

In this paper, the chemical degradation of poly(e-capro lactone) by hydrolysis was carried out. Poly(e-caprolactone) was successfully synthesized via the ring-opening poly merization of e-caprolactone at 155℃ with ammon iu m heptamo lybdate. Poly(e-caprolactone) was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The hydrolyses were carried out under acid and alkaline conditions using HCl, H2SO4, NaOH, and KOH. The temperature used in the hydrolyses ranged from 40℃ to 140℃, while the solution concentrations, time, and the mass of the samples during the chemical degradation were held constant. Under these degradation conditions a loss of weight of poly(e-caprolactone) was observed when the temperature was increased. For examp le, fo r 30 minutes of degradation using sulfuric acid at temperatures of 120℃ and 140℃, the poly(e-caprolactone) was degraded 25.00% and 36.31% respectively. The alkaline hydrolysis process is more rap id than acid hydrolysis. For example, after 30 minutes in NaOH at temperatures of 120℃ and 140℃, the poly(e-capro lactone) was degraded 94.60% and 100%, respectively.