Simultaneous Stereocomplexation of Polylactides during Polymerization of d‐LA in the Presence of a PLLA Template. Issue 8 (23rd March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brzeziński, Marek; Michalski, Adam; Kost, Bartłomiej; Socka, Marta; Florczak, Marcin; Łapienis, Grzegorz; Biela, Tadeusz
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular chemistry and physics. Volume 221:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-03-23
• Subjects: microparticles -- stereocomplexation -- template polymerization; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Synthetic products -- Periodicals; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1002/macp.201900571
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1022-1352

Abstract

Abstract: Matrix polymerization is frequently used to obtain different materials with control over the microstructure and molecular weight of the final products; however, it is never employed to obtain stereoregular polylactide. Therefore, here, l‐ lactide polymerization is initiated with butanol or methoxy poly(ethylene glycol). Subsequently, the hydroxyl end groups of the obtained poly(l ‐lactides) (PLLAs) are blocked with acetic anhydride to avoid stereoblock formation during matrix polymerization in the presence of PLLA as a template. The polymerization is carried out in tetrahydrofuran at 80 °C under vacuum. During the course of the process, the simultaneous stereocomplexation of a PLLA matrix with growing poly(d ‐lactide) chains is observed, leading to the formation of petal‐in‐petal microparticles. This approach can provide a tool for designing stereocomplexed particles with different morphologies and allows for fine‐tuning of their properties. Abstract : The polymerization of d ‐lactide in the presence of poly(l ‐lactide) with blocked end groups as a template in tetrahydrofuran leads to petal‐in‐petal stereocomplex‐polylactide microparticles.