Bulk Modification of Poly(lactide) (PLA) via Copolymerization with Poly(propylene glycol) Diglycidylether (PPGDGE)

Copolymers of <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">l</span>-lactide and poly(propylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PPGDGE<sub>380</sub>) were synthesized by ring opening polymerization (ROP). Stannous octoate was used as the catalyst and 1-dodecanol as the initiato...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sandra Castillejos, Jorge Cerna, Francisco Meléndez, María Eugenia Castro, Rocío Aguilar, César Márquez-Beltrán, Maykel González
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-10-01
Series:Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/10/11/1184
Description
Summary:Copolymers of <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">l</span>-lactide and poly(propylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PPGDGE<sub>380</sub>) were synthesized by ring opening polymerization (ROP). Stannous octoate was used as the catalyst and 1-dodecanol as the initiator. The effect of the variables on the thermal properties of the copolymers was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Contact angle measurements were made in order to study the wettability of the synthesized copolymers. The copolymers differed widely in their physical characteristics, ranging from weak elastomers to tougher thermoplastics, according to the ratio of <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">l</span>-lactide and PPGDGE<sub>380</sub>. The results showed that the copolymers were more hydrophilic than neat Poly(lactide) (PLA) and the monomer ratio had a strong influence on the hydrophilic properties.
ISSN:2073-4360