• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2015

The surface modification of microfibriled cellulose (MFC) was carried out through the hydrolysis-condensation reaction using (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APS) and 3-glycidyloxypropyltriethoxysilane (GPS) and then the modified cellulose was compounded with bio-degradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Also, pristine MFC was compounded with PLA as a control groups. The confirmation of surface modification for the pristine MFC was characterized by FT-IR and SEM/EDX. The thermal and mechanical properties of the PLA/MFC composites depended on the content of MFC and the type of silane coupling agents. From the thermal, morphological and mechanical behaviors of the PLA/MFC composites, it was found that GPS-MFC was more successful to improve the interface adhesion between PLA matrix and the surface of MFC than that of APS-MFC.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.631-636
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• 2008

The intrinsic viscosities were determined for poly(DL-lactic acid) (PDLLA) solutions in 1,2-dialkyl phthalate at temperatures ranging from 30 to $60^{\circ}C$. A series of dialkyl phthalate, in which the alkyl group was changed from methyl to propyl, was used as the solvent to control the solvent quality systematically. The intrinsic viscosity of the PDLLA solution was higher in the better quality solvent, with a higher molecular weight of PDLLA, and at lower temperatures. The unperturbed dimensions of the PDLLA molecule and polymer-solvent interaction parameter of PDLLA in dialkyl phthalate were deduced using extrapolation methods based on the temperature-dependent intrinsic viscosities. Slight shrinkage in the unperturbed chain dimension was observed, which resulted from a change in polymer conformation with temperature. It was also observed that the polymer-solvent interaction became more favorable with the dialkyl phthalate containing a shorter alkyl chain.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.149-162
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• 2018

Following our previous work, we have conducted further systematic studies to investigate the effects of reactive blending on the thermal and mechanical properties of blends of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and a liquid rubber, polybutadiene (LPB). The toughened PLAs were prepared by melt-blending the PLA with various contents (0-9 wt.%) of the LPB in the absence or presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP), a radical initiator. It was found that the rubber domains were homogeneously dispersed at the nanoscale in the PLA matrix up to 9 wt.% of LPB thanks to the reactive blending in the presence of DCP. Owing to the compatibilization of PLA with LPB through reactive blending, the elongation and toughness of PLA was enhanced, while the hydrolytic degradation of PLA was reduced.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.181-184
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• 2021

Scars can cause great psychological stress among patients. Currently, there are numerous topical agents, laser and surgical treatments available for skin rejuvenation and scar minimization. Laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD) is a treatment method that increases drug delivery by stimulating the skin physically and chemically to enhance the penetration of topical agents. This is one of the areas of great interest in the treatment of various skin diseases in addition to its use for cosmetic purposes. In particular, LADD is relatively non-invasive and has advantages in terms of accessibility and stability. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a collagen stimulator known to gradually restore skin volume by inducing inflammation and fibroplasia. Herein, we report a case of treatment of an atrophic scar with fractional carbon dioxide laser-assisted PLLA delivery.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.2342-2348
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• 2014

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) were grafted to both ends of Pluronic$^{(R)}$ F68 ($(EO)_{75}(PO)_{30}(EO)_{75}$) triblock copolymer to produce poly{(lactic acid)$_m$-co-(glycolic acid)$_n$}-b-poly(ethylene oxide)$_{75}$-b-poly(propylene oxide)$_{30}$-b-poly(ethylene oxide)$_{75}$-b-poly{(lactic acid)$_m$-co-(glycolic acid)$_n$} (PLGA-F68-PLGA) pentablock copolymers. Molecular weights of PLGA blocks were controlled and five kinds of pentablock copolymers with different PLGA block lengths were synthesized using in-situ ring-opening polymerization of D,L-lactide and glycolide with tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate ($Sn(Oct)_2$) catalyst. PLGA-F68-PLGA pentablock copolymers were characterized by $^1H$- and $^{13}C$-NMR, GPC, and TGA. The numbers (2m, 2n) of repeating units for lactic acid and glycolic acid inside PLGA segments were obtained as (48, 17), (90, 23), (125, 40), (180, 59), and (246, 64), with $^1H$-NMR measurement. From NMR data, the resultant molecular weights were determined in the range of 12,700-29,700, which were similar to those obtained from GPC. Polydispersity index was increased in the range of 1.32-1.91 as the content of PLGA blocks increased. TG and DTG thermograms showed discrete degradation traces for PLGA and F68 blocks, which indicate the weight fractions of PLGA blocks in pentablock copolymers can be calculated by TG profile and it is possible to remove PLGA block selectively. Hydrodynamic radius and radius of gyration of pentablock copolymer micelle were obtained in the range of 46-68 nm and 31-49 nm, respectively, in very dilute (i.e. 0.005 wt %) aqueous solution of THF:$H_2O$ = 10:90 by volume at $25^{\circ}C$.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.69-73
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• 2005

To overcome the main disadvantages of non-viral gene delivery systems such as repeated administration due to the low transfection efficiency, poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) was applied to encapsulate pDNA in its microsphere formulation. Free pDNA or various ratios (w/w) of chitosan/pDNA complexes was used for encapsulation, with the resulting encapsulation efficiency of 44%, 5%, and 8% for free pDNA, 0.7:1 and 1:1 ratios, respectively. Scanning electron micrographs of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres encapsulating pDNA or chitosan-condensed pDNA revealed a smooth spherical shape immediately after microsphere preparation and a collapsed porous shape in 41 days due to the degradation of PLGA. In vitro release profile showed that the 0.7:1 (w/w) ratio formulation exerted 47% release in 26 days, whereas free pDNA or 1:1 (w/w) ratio formulation did only 15% or 32%, respectively.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.477-482
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• 2011

There has been a growing attention on PDLA (poly D-lactic acid) since stereocomplex PLA, a kind of polymer alloy between PLLA and PDLA was known much thermally stable compared PLLA. Superior characteristics of stereocomplex PLA result in the elevated demand for D-lactic acid. Although many research works have been reported for L-lactic acid production especially food industry, however there are relatively few research works for D-lactic acid production since D-lactic acid cannot find any applications in food industry. Most imminent issue for D-lactic acid is the economic production process that requires low cost medium, efficient lactic acid producing microorganism and finally large scale-up design. In this review, current status of D-lactic acid production process will be summarized and discussed for the further improvement of D-lactic acid production process.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.175-184
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• 2006

Poly(D,L-lacic acid)(PLA) microshperes containing loazepam were prepared by a solvent-emulsion evaporation method and their release patterns were investigated in vitro. Various batches of microspheres with different size and drug content were obtained by changing the ratio of lorazepam to PLA, PLA concentration in the dispersed phase and stirring rate. Rod-like lorazepam crystals on microsphere surface, which were released rapidly and could act as a loading dose, were observed with increasing drug content. The release rate was increased with increase in drug contents and decrease in the molecular weight of PLA. The release rate of lorazepam for long-acting injectable delivery system in vitro, which would aid in Predicting in vivo release Profile, could be controlled by properly optimizing various factors affecting characteristics of microspheres.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.62-66
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• 2020

Controlled drug release is important for effective treatment of cancer. Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) acid (PLGA) is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved polymer and have been extensively studied as drug delivery carriers with biodegradable and biocompatible properties. However, PLGA drug delivery carriers are limited due to the initial burst release of drug. Certain drugs require an early rapid release, but in many cases the initial rapid release can be inefficient, reducing therapeutic effects and also increasing side effects. Therefore, sustained release is important for effective treatment. Poly Lactic Acid stereo complex (PLA SC) is resistant to hydrolysis and has high stability in aqueous solutions. Therefore, in this work, PLGA based discoidal polymeric particles are modified by Poly Lactic Acid stereocomplex (PLAsc DPPs). PLAsc DPPs are 3 ㎛ in diameter, also showing a relatively sustained release profile. Fluorescein 5(6)-isothiocyanate (FITC) released from PLAsc DPPs was continuously observed until 38 days, which showed the initial release of FITC from PLAsc DPPs was about 3.9-fold reduced as compared to PLGA based DPPs at 1 hour.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.84-91
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• 2001

Both A-B-A triblock and multiblock copoly(ester-ether)s consisting of poly(L-Lactide) and poly(oxyethylene-co-oxypropylene) were prepared and characterized. The preparation of the triblock copolymer was done by ring-opening copolymerization of L-lactide with a commercially available telechelic copolyether, Pluronic$\^$TM/(PN) by catalysis of stannous octanoate. The molecular weight and unit composition of the produced copolymers were successfully controlled by changing the L-lactide/PN ratio in feed. However, a high molecular weight copolymer incorporating PN in large amount was not obtained because the molecular weight of the resulting copolymer was limited at a high L-lactide/PN composition. The multiblock copolymer was synthesized by the copolycondensation of oligo(L-lactic acid) prepared by thermal dehydration of L-lactic acid, PN, and dodecanedioic acid as carboxyl/hydroxyl adjusting agent. This polycondensation proceeded by catalysis of stannous oxide to give multiblock copolymers with high molecular weight and wide range of compositions.