In situ copolyesters containing poly(L-lactide) and poly(hydroxyalkanoate) units.
In situ copolyesters containing polylactide (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) segments were obtained via ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide using PHA as a macroinitiator with stannous octoate as catalyst. Incorporation of PHA (20 wt %) into PLA affords a novel copolymer with Mn values ranging from 25 to 50 KDa and low polydispersities of 1.8-2.3. DSC analysis of the copolymer indicates well-defined crystallization and melting transitions different from the homopolymers and corresponding blend. The polymers were characterized by FT-IR, GPC, DSC, optical microscopy, NMR, and TGA. The results show successful reactivity of PHA as a macroinitiator for the ring-opening polymerization of lactide.
Haynes
Dahlia
D
Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634-0973, USA.
Abayasinghe
Nilmini K
NK
Harrison
Graham M
GM
Burg
Karen J
KJ
Smith
Dennis W
DW
D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D011091:Polyesters; C488798:poly(3-hydroxycaproate); C003182:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates; C033616:poly(lactide)