Synthesis of Poly(L-lactide) via Solvothermal Method

Abstract

Poly(L-lactide) was obtained from the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide through a solvothermal process. Tin (II) chloride (SnC12) was used as the catalyst for the polymerization reaction. The focus of this paper was on the effect of solvents, catalyst usage, temperature, time, and antioxidants on the ring-opening reaction in the solvothermal synthesis. Ubbelohde viscometer, FTIR, GPC, and DSC were used to characterize the products. It is found that the optimal reaction condition for the highest molecular weight of PLA is at 160∘C for 10 hour with 0.4% SnCl2 in 10 mL toluene as solvent, and the high crystallinity can be obtained. The addition of antioxidant prior to the polymerization is conducive to obtaining high molecular weight and augment Tm, Tc and Xc values of PLA.