Super-Tough and Biodegradable Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) Transparent Thin Films Toughened by Star-Shaped...

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) is a widely used biodegradable polymer.
• Enhancing the toughness and mechanical properties of PLGA is crucial for advanced applications.
• Developing sustainable and effective plasticizers for biodegradable polymers remains an active research area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize biodegradable star-shaped PCL-b-PDLA plasticizers using xylitol.
• To investigate the effects of these plasticizers on the properties of PLGA blends.
• To develop fully degradable and super-tough PLGA-based materials.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of star-shaped poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-poly(D-lactide) (PCL-b-PDLA) using xylitol as an initiator.
• Blending of synthesized plasticizers with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) to form transparent thin films.
• Comprehensive characterization of mechanical, morphological, and thermodynamic properties of the resulting blends.

Main Results:

• The addition of star-shaped PCL-b-PDLA plasticizers significantly improved the toughness of PLGA.
• A 0.5 wt% addition of plasticizer (Mn = 5000 g/mol) increased elongation at break to approximately 248%.
• Stereocomplexation between PLLA and PDLA segments created a strong network, enhancing interfacial adhesion and maintaining excellent mechanical strength and modulus.

Conclusions:

• Biodegradable star-shaped PCL-b-PDLA plasticizers are effective in enhancing the mechanical properties of PLGA.
• These plasticizers enable the creation of fully degradable and super-tough PLGA blends with transparent thin films.
• The developed materials show promise for applications requiring both biodegradability and superior mechanical performance.