Polymer
Polymer
5 years ago

Stereocomplex formation of poly(l-lactide)-poly(ε-caprolactone) multiblock copolymers with Poly(d-lactide)

Stereocomplex formation of poly(l-lactide)-poly(ε-caprolactone) multiblock copolymers with Poly(d-lactide)
Stereocomplex formation is known to increase the melting temperature of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA). In this study, we investigate the stereocomplex formation of poly(l-lactide)-poly(ε-caprolactone) multiblock copolymers (PLLA-PCL MBCs) with poly(d-lactide) (PDLA). The stereocomplexed PLLA-PCL MBCs were readily synthesized by adding PDLA into PLLA-PCL MBCs solutions. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry measurements indicate the preferential formation of stereocomplexes. Tensile moduli of PLLA-PCL MBCs increased after stereocomplex formation; however, they conserved their large elongation at break values even when the composition of hard segments (PLLA and PDLA) in the sample increased. The combination of high Young's modulus (>400 MPa) and large elongation (>400%) is high level reported for biodegradable thermoplastic elastomers. Dynamic mechanical analysis measurements suggest improved thermal-deformation stability in the stereocomplexes. Stereocomplex formation of PLLA-PCL random multiblock copolymers synthesized by the copolymerization of PLLA and PCL oligomers with PDLA also effectively increased the melting temperature and the Young's modulus. This simple strategy of adding PDLA into PLLA-segmented copolymers may be a useful method for the synthesis of any other stereocomplexed PLLA-segmented block copolymer.

Publisher URL: www.sciencedirect.com/science

DOI: S0032386117306717

You might also like
Discover & Discuss Important Research

Keeping up-to-date with research can feel impossible, with papers being published faster than you'll ever be able to read them. That's where Researcher comes in: we're simplifying discovery and making important discussions happen. With over 19,000 sources, including peer-reviewed journals, preprints, blogs, universities, podcasts and Live events across 10 research areas, you'll never miss what's important to you. It's like social media, but better. Oh, and we should mention - it's free.

  • Download from Google Play
  • Download from App Store
  • Download from AppInChina

Researcher displays publicly available abstracts and doesn’t host any full article content. If the content is open access, we will direct clicks from the abstracts to the publisher website and display the PDF copy on our platform. Clicks to view the full text will be directed to the publisher website, where only users with subscriptions or access through their institution are able to view the full article.