Effect of Chain Architecture on the Biodegradability and Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Copolymers of L-Lactide

초록

A series of novel biodegradable homopolymers and copolymers of L-lactide (LA) and δ-valerolactone (VL) were polymerized at 165 ℃ using stannous octoate as a catalyst initiated with salicylic acid or benzyl alcohol via ring-expansion or ring-opening polymerization, respectively. The polymer chain topology was suggested to be either cyclic or linear depending on the initiator used. The feeding molar ratio of LA:VL was changed to investigate the chain microstructure, thermal properties, as well as degradability of copolymers.