Synthesis and Properties of Block Copolymer Comprising of Poly(DL-lactic acid) and Poly(ethylene oxide)

The block copolymers were prepared by the ring opening polymerizati on of DL-lactide by poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with diethylzinc (ZnE$_2$) as a catalyst. When the feed ratio of PEO was over 30% relative to DL-lactide, the polymerization of DL-lactide took place from the PEO hydroxyl terminals to provide the desired A -B-A or A-B block copolymer. The block copolymers were made of films by cast method and the films obtained was drawn to 2.5 times at 60 $\^{C}$. At the same draw ratio, the tensile modulus of the films was decreased with increasing PEO content in the block copolymers. It was therefore suggested that the block copolymers comprising of PDLLA and PEO, had high potentials as the biomaterials with improved flexibility.

Poly(DL-lactic acid)/Poly(ethylene oxide)을 포함한 블록공중합체의 합성 및 특성

DL-lactide의 단점을 개선할 목적으로 개환중합법으로 촉매로서 diethylzinc (ZnEt$_2$)를 사용하여, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)를 세그먼트로서 도입한 블록공중합체를 합성하였다. 그 결과 DL-lactide에 대한 PEO세그먼트의 첨가비가 30% 이상에서는 조성비가 급격히 증가하였으며, 이들 공중합체를 캐스트법에 의해 필름으로 제작하여 6$0^{\circ}C$에서 2.5배 연신하여 인장실험을 실시하였다. 모든 공중합체 필름은 PDLLA에 대한 PEO에스테르 첨가비의 증대에 따라 탄성율이 저하되는 것이 관찰되어 세그먼트 도입에 의한 유연성의 증대를 확인하였으며 유연성이 요구되는 의용재료로서의 기대를 높였다.