title: In situ copolyesters containing poly(L-lactide) and poly(hydroxyalkanoate) units.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634-0973, USA.
authors: Dahlia
authors: D
authors: Haynes
authors: Nilmini K
authors: NK
authors: Abayasinghe
authors: Graham M
authors: GM
authors: Harrison
authors: Karen J
authors: KJ
authors: Burg
authors: Dennis W
authors: DW
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
chemical_list: D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D011091:Polyesters; C488798:poly(3-hydroxycaproate); C003182:poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates; C033616:poly(lactide)