Polylactic acid (PLA): research, development and industrialization.
Polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable, aliphatic polyester derived from lactic acid. It has similar mechanical properties to polyethylene terephthalate, but has a significantly lower maximum continuous use temperature. PLA products can be recycled after use either by remelting and processing the material a second time or by hydrolyzing to lactic acid, the basic chemical. In this review, the technologies for polymerization of the lactic acid and the comparison of physical, thermal and mechanical properties, biodegradability, and biocompatibility of the PLA and copolymers with other similar polymers are described.
Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China.
Xuan
X
Pang
Xiuli
X
Zhuang
Zhaohui
Z
Tang
Xuesi
X
Chen
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)