Properties of lactic acid based polymers and their correlation with composition

• Published in: Progress in polymer science Vol. 27; no. 6; pp. 1123 - 1163
• Main Authors: Södergård, Anders, Stolt, Mikael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2002; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Aliphatic polyesters; Applied sciences; Biodegradation; Carboxylic acids; Chemical modification; Copolyesters; Copolymers; Exact sciences and technology; Lactic acid based polymers; Organic polymers; PDLLA; Physicochemistry of polymers; Poly( l-lactide); Polycondensation; Polylactic acid; Polymerization; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Ring opening polymerization; Solubility; Thermodynamic stability; Copolyesters; Polycondensation; Aliphatic polyesters; Polylactic acid; Ring-opening polymerization; Poly( l-lactide); Lactic acid based polymers; PDLLA; Lactic acid polymer; Review; Property composition relationship; Lactic acid copolymer; Preparation; Physicochemical properties
• ISSN: 0079-6700; 1873-1619
• DOI: 10.1016/S0079-6700(02)00012-6

This review focuses on the properties of lactic acid based polymers and the correlation to the structure of the polymers. Lactic acid based polymers prepared by polycondensation (PC), ring-opening polymerization (ROP), and other methods (chain extension, grafting) are discussed as well as modifications where structural changes have occurred due to post-polymerization reactions (peroxide melt-modification, radiation processing). The different types of polymers include copolymers prepared by ROP from l, l-lactide and d, d-lactide, glycolide (GA), ε-caprolactone (CL), trimethylene carbonate (TMC), 1,5-dioxepan-2-one (DXO), and other cyclic analogues. The thermophysical properties, the solubility, the miscibility, and the mechanical properties have been reviewed. In addition the hydrolytic stability, the thermal stability, the radiation degradation, and the biodegradation of the polymers have been covered.