Segmental dynamics in poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(L-lactide) copolymer networks

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part B, Polymer physics Vol. 47; no. 2; pp. 183 - 193
• Main Authors: Sabater i Serra, Roser, Escobar Ivirico, Jorge L, Meseguer Dueñas, Jose María, Balado, Andreu Andrio, Gómez Ribelles, José Luis, Salmerón Sánchez, Manuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 15.01.2009; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; copolymerization; crosslinking; dielectric properties; Electrical, magnetic and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; polyesters; Properties and characterization; copolymerization; Lactone copolymer; Thermal transition; Lactic acid copolymer; dielectric properties; Composition effect; Experimental study; Segmental movement; polyesters; Dielectric relaxation; Crosslinked copolymer; Optically active copolymer; Lactic acid polymer; Caprolactone copolymer; Prepolymer; Methacrylate copolymer; Polycaprolactone; crosslinking; Photochemical copolymerization
• ISSN: 0887-6266; 1099-0488
• DOI: 10.1002/polb.21629

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) networks were prepared from macromonomer diols functionalized with methacrylic anhydride, which allows one to get self-crosslinkable polymers. Besides, both macromonomers were copolymerized to get copolymer networks with different compositions (namely, PCL/PLA: 0/100, 70/30, 50/50, 30/70, 100/0). Dielectric and calorimetric experiments allow one to conclude the microphase separation of the system: one phase made of pure PCL domains while the second one consists of caprolactone units, which somehow plasticize PLA and moves its main relaxation (glass transition) to lower temperatures. The effect of crosslinking PLA on the dynamics of the system was further investigated by comparing with the dynamics for linear PLA.