• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 2011

L-PLA or D-PLA was synthesized in bulk at $140^{\circ}C$ by ring opening polymerization(ROP) of L-lactide or D-lactide as a monomer using tin(II) octoate and lauryl alcohol as a catalyst and an initiator with changing the amounts of catalyst(0.25~1.0 wt%) and initiator(0.l~0.5 wt%). And stereocomplex-PLA was prepared by L-PLA/D-PLA having a wide range of molecular weight(30000~90000 g/mol) and L-PLA/D-PLA blends having different mixing ratio ($X_D$). The melting temperature. thermal degradation temperature and thermal stability of stereocomplex-PLA were higher than those of homopolymers(L-PLA, D-PLA). We supposed that these improvements arose from a strong interaction between L-PLA and D-PLA. The improved mechanical properties and changes in morphology of LPLA/D-PLA blends were compared to those of homopolymers(L-PLA, D-PLA).

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.473-481
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• 2014

Poly(lactide)s(PLA) is an attractive material to solve the problem of waste plastic accumulation in nature because of its biodegradability. The lactide exists in three stereoisomeric configurations: L-lactide, D-lactide, and meso-lactide. PLA stereocomplexes, formed by the mixing of two enantiomers, poly(L-lactide)(PLLA) and poly(D-lactide)(PDLA), have many favorable characteristics because the stereocomplex showed $50^{\circ}C$ higher melting point than each enantiomeric polymer and the resistance toward degradation increased. In this study, we investigated the influence of the composition and the optical purity of each component on the formation of stereocomplexes. Also, the nanofibers of stereochemical PLA and their blends were prepared by electrospinning method. The properties of the obtained fibers were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that a degree of stereocomplex was controlled by change of optical purity of each component. The enzymatic degradation of the fibers were strongly dependent on the stereocomplex.

• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.371-378
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• 2018

In this study, the thermoelastic properties of poly lactic acid (PLA) based nanocomposites are predicted by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and a micromechanics model. The stereocomplex mixed with L-lactic acid (PLLA) and D-lactic acid (PDLA) is modeled as matrix phase and a single walled carbon nanotube is embedded as reinforcement. The glass transition temperature, elastic moduli and thermal expansion coefficients of pure matrix and nanocomposites unit cells are predicted though ensemble simulations according to the hydrolysis. In micromechanics model, the double inclusion (D-I) model with a perfect interface condition is adopted to predict the properties of nanocomposites at the same composition. It is found that the stereocomplex nanocomposites show prominent improvement in thermal stability and interfacial adsorption regardless of the hydrolysis. Moreover, it is confirmed from the comparison of MD simulation results with those from the D-I model that the interface between CNT and the stereocomplex matrix is slightly weak in nature.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.704-710
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• 2008

Injectable hydrogels are quite promising materials due to their potential to minimize invasive implantation and this provides versatile fitness irrespective of the damaged regions and facilitates the incorporation of bioactive agents or cells. In situ gel formation through stereocomplex formation is a promising candidate for injectable hydrogels. In this paper, a new series of enantiomeric, four-arm, PEG-PLA block copolymers and their stereocomplexed hydrogels were prepared by bulk ring-opening polymerization of D-lactide and L-lactide, respectively, with stannous octoate as a catalyst. The prepared polymers were characterized by $^1H$ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FT IR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and thermal gravitational analysis (TGA), confirming the tailored structure and chain lengths. The swelling and degradation behavior of the hydrogels formed from a selected copolymer series were observed in different concentrations. The degradation rate decreased with increasing polymer content in the solution. The rheological behavior indicated that the prepared hydrogel underwent in situ gelation and had favorable mechanical strength. In addition, its feasibility as an injectable scaffold was evaluated using a media dependence test for cell culture. A Tris solution was more favorable for in situ gel formation than PBS and DMEM solutions were. These results demonstrated the in situ formation of hydrogel through the construction of a stereocomplex with enantiomeric, 4-arm, PEG-PLA copolymers. Overall, enantiomeric, 4-arm, PEG-PLA copolymers are a new species of stereocomplexed hydrogels that are suitable for further research into injectable hydrogels.

• 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 the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1671-1676
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• 2015

A unique crystallization behavior of poly(L-lactide)(PLLA)/poly(D-lactide)(PDLA) stereocomplex(SC) was observed when a PLLA/PDLA blend was subjected to the specific melting conditions. Therefore, we tried to blend PLLA and PDLA at overall composition to form PLA stereocomplexes. Moreover, impact modifier and reinforcement materials such as talc and glass fiber added to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties such as impact strength and heat distortion temperature(HDT). As a result, we got one representative result, one composite recipe with HDT $115^{\circ}C$. For more economic technology, we tried to blend PLLA and Polypropylene at overall composition and we got another representative result which could be applied to current PP/talc composites and ABS materials. The core technology of this might be the well dispersion of glass fibers into the matrix resin such as PP, PLLA and impact strength modifier.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.919-925
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• 2012

We tried to blend PLLA and PDLA at overall compositions to form PLA stereocomplexes (SC). The presence of the SC crystalline phase in the PLLA matrix was verified by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). As a result, a various PDLA composition of the PLA SC blends can influence PLA SC formation. And the largest amount of PLA SC crystallites was formed when PLLA/PDLA ratio is 50/50. In addition, we have tried to do PLA SC toughening with two impact modifiers in 92/8, 85/15 ratio of PLLA/PDLA to enhance the mechanical properties such as impact strength. Thermal and mechanical properties of PLA SC were investigated by DSC, HDT, Izod impact tester and UTM. PLA SC formation decreased when 10-20 wt% of Strong120 (impact modifier) was added. On the other hand, there is no effect on PLA SC formation when 10-20% of Elvaloy (impact modifier) was added. HDT values dramatically increased over $100^{\circ}C$ with the addition of PDLA. However, HDT decreased as Strong120 and Elvaloy content increased. Finally, we could find well balanced composition of toughened PLA SC with 10wt% of impact modifier in flexural modulus and impact strength.

• 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.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.453-460
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• 2015

Engineering the polylactide via stereocomplexation with supercritical fluid (SCF) technology paved way to fabricate polymers with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties. We aimed to establish a SCF medium with excellent solubility for PLA without any additional solvent/co-solvent. We, therefore, employed supercritical dimethyl ether to synthesize 100% stereocomplex polylactide from high molecular weight homopolymers with an excellent yield. The remarkable solubility of the homopolymers in dimethyl ether is the key for quick conversion to s-PLA. This study proves a rapid synthesis route of dry s-PLA powder with sc-DME at 250 bar, $70^{\circ}C$ and 1.5 h, which are reasonably achievable processing parameters compared to the conventional methods. The degree of stereocomplexation was evaluated under the effect of pressures, temperatures, times, homopolymer-concentrations and molecular weights. An increment in the degree of stereocomplexation was observed with increased temperature and pressure. Complete conversion to s-PLA was obtained for PLLA and PDLA with $M_n{\sim}200kg{\cdot}mol^{-1}$ with a total homopolymer to total DME ratio of 6:100% w/w at prescribed reaction conditions. The degree of stereocomplexation was determined by DSC and confirmed by XRD. Considerable improvement in thermo-mechanical properties of s-PLA was observed. DSC and TGA analyses proved a $50^{\circ}C$ enhancement in melting transition and a high onset temperature for thermal degradation of s-PLA respectively.

• Polymer Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.166-172
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• 2011