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Preparation of stereocomplex powder from polycondensation poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid) for use as a nucleating agent of high-molecular-weight poly(L-lactide)

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Abstract

High-molecular-weight poly(L-lactide) (HMW-PLLA), which is a biocompatible, biodegradable, and bio-based polymer, is an alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. However, its poor crystallizing ability limits its widespread application. In this paper, low-molecular-weight poly(L-lactic acid) (LMW-PLLA) and poly(D-lactic acid) (LMW-PDLA) synthesized through polycondensation of L-lactic acid and D-lactic acid, respectively, were used to prepare stereocomplex poly(lactic acid) (scPLA) powder using precipitation technique. Nucleation efficiency of the obtained scPLA powder was investigated by melt blending with the HMW-PLLA. The scPLA powder was nearly spherical in shape, had a single melting peak at 205 °C and exhibited complete stereocomplex crystallites. According to the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analyses, the added scPLA powder improved the crystallization of HMW-PLLA and increased the crystallinity content of HMW-PLLA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed good phase compatibility between dispersed scPLA particles and HMW-PLLA matrices. The addition of scPLA powder had no significant effect on the tensile properties of the HMW-PLLA matrix. In conclusion, scPLA powder prepared from blending of polycondensation LMW-PLLA and LMW-PDLA showed a promising behavior to enhance the crystallized ability of HMW-PLLA.

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Acknowledgements

This research project is financially supported by Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI). YB is also grateful to the partially support provided by the Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Office of the Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education, Thailand.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biodegradable Polymers Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, 44150, Thailand

    Yodthong Baimark, Prasong Srihanam, Theeraphol Phromsopha & Yaowalak Srisuwan

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  1. Yodthong Baimark
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  2. Prasong Srihanam
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  3. Theeraphol Phromsopha
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  4. Yaowalak Srisuwan
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Correspondence to Yodthong Baimark.

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Baimark, Y., Srihanam, P., Phromsopha, T. et al. Preparation of stereocomplex powder from polycondensation poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid) for use as a nucleating agent of high-molecular-weight poly(L-lactide). J Polym Res 30, 302 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-023-03681-y

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