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Abstract
Poly(lactic acids) with high molecular weights have been synthesized by
Introduction
Large amounts of plastics are produced worldwide, and disposal of plastics
after use is becoming a serious problem. About 70% of general waste is
incinerated in Japan.
To solve these problems, several types of degradable polymers, such as
blend of starch, PVA, PHB, and PLA have been developed.
Polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA) has been acknowledged as having a
good potential for biodegradable packaging and consumer goods because
of its good properties, such as mechanical strength, transparency,
compostability, and safety
Cont.. Introduction
The
raw
material,
fermentation
of
lactic
acid,
carbohydrate
is
produced
from
by
renewable
Novelty:
We studied the direct process with two interests:
Academic: Aliphatic polyesters such as PLA with high
molecular weights have not yet been successfully
produced through direct condensation polymerization
Industrial: The conventional lactide process consists of
multiple steps and highly purifed polymer-grade lactide
is required to obtain a PLA with a high molecular weight.
Biopolymer
: PLA
Materials
Heat-stable-grade L-lactic acid was purchased as a 90 wt
solutions
of
70%
glycolic
acid
and
e-
Experimental
The molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) on a
Shodex GPC System-I 1 (Showa Denko)
The glass transition temperatures (Tg) and melting points (Tm) were measured with a
differential scanning calorimeter (Shimadzu DSC-50)
The tensile measurements were made using an Orientec Tensilon UCT-1T 1122 at room
temperature according to ASTM D638
The decomposition temperatures (To) were determined on a Shimadzu TGA-50
thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA)
The melt viscosities were measured on a Rheometrics dynamic spectrometer
(Rheometrics Inc., RDS II)
The melt flow rates were determined on a Toyo Siki melt indexer.
General Procedure for the Synthesis of Poly lactic Acid (Direct Process)
Azeotropically
400 ml organic
solvent
(3 Amstrong)
0.1 gram
dehydration process
Molecular Sieve
hours
at 140 oC
20
catalyst
hours
130 oC
White powders
of
PLA
in
yield 80 85%
Powders of PLA
+
a
900
ml
methanol
40
gram
molecular
+
of
300
ml
chloroform
of
40
at
0.03
wt%
lauryl alcohol
0.01
wt%
stannous octoate
Stirrer
Result and
Discussion:
Polymerization
Result and
Discussion: Molecular
weight of catalyst
Result and
Discussion: Physical
Properties of PLA
Result and
Discussion:
Tensile strength
and Ultimate
Elongation with
different Mw of
PLA
Result and
Discussion:
Meat flow rate
with different
Mw of PLA
Conclusion
A poly(lactic acid) with a Mw higher than 300.000 was obtained
by direct condensation polymerization of lactic acid in the
presence of a catalyst and an organic solvent.
The direct process can be applied to the synthesis of
copolymers of lactic acid and other hydroxyacids.
The properties of poly(lactic acid) and copolymers synthesized
by our direct process are different from those of polylactide
and copolymers obtained by the conventional lactide process.