Synthesis and Modeling of Poly(L-lactic acid) via Polycondensation of L-Lactic Acid.

ABSTRACT: We present synthetic experiments of lactic acid (LA) polycondensation to produce poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as well as kinetic modeling calculations that capture the polymer molecular weight increase with time, given the initial concentrations. Tin-octoate-catalyzed polycondensation of (D,L)- or L-lactic acid was carried out in pre-dried toluene after azeotropic dehydration for 48-120 h at 130-137 °C. The polymerization was optimized by varying lactic acid and catalyst concentrations as well as the temperature. Gel permeation chromatography was used to experimentally follow the evolution of molecular weights and the products were characterized by NMR, TGA, DSC and IR. Under optimal conditions, PLLA with weight-average molecular weight (M_w) of 161 kDa could be obtained. The r

SUBMITTER: Theodorou A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10708065 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature