Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Poly(l-Lactide)

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Polymeric Nanomaterials

Synonyms

PLLA; Poly(l-Lactic acid).

Definition

Poly(l-lactide) is a polymer synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide or polycondensation of l-lactic acid.

Historical Background

Historical outlines of poly(lactide), i.e., poly(lactic acid) (PLA), can be summarized as follows [1]. Synthetic routes to the linear dimer of lactic acid, i.e., lactoyllactic acid, and lactic acid oligomers from trimers to heptamers by the condensation (or esterification) of lactic acid by the removal of water at elevated temperatures such as 130 °C were reported in 1845 and 1914, respectively. Ring-opening polymerization of lactide, i.e., the cyclic dimer of lactic acid, was suggested in 1932 and developed in 1954, for the synthesis of high-molecular-weight (HMW) poly(lactic acid) (PLA). PLA can be hydrolyzed in the human body, and the formed lactic acid and oligomers are metabolized safely with very low harmful effects to the human body; consequently, PLA and its copolymers have been...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 1,299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 1,699.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Tsuji H (2014) Poly(lactic acid). In: Kabasci S (ed) Bio-based plastics: materials and application, Wiley series in renewable resources. Wiley, West Sussex, pp 171–239

    Google Scholar 

  2. Tsuji H (2008) Poly(lactic acid): fundamentals and applications of plant-derived plastics (in Japanese). Yoneda Shuppan, Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  3. Auras R, Lim L-T, Selke SEM, Tsuji H (eds) (2010) Poly(lactic acid): synthesis, structures, properties, processing, and applications, Wiley series on polymer engineering and technology. Wiley, Hoboken

    Google Scholar 

  4. Tsuji H (2002) Polylactide. In: Doi Y, Steinbüchel A (eds) Polyesters 3. Biopolymers, vol 4. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, pp 129–177

    Google Scholar 

  5. Marubayashi H, Akaishi S, Akasaka S, Asai S, Sumita M (2008) Crystalline structure and morphology of poly(L-lactide) Formed under high-pressure CO2. Macromolecules 41:9192–9203

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Marubayashi H, Asai S, Sumita M (2012) Complex crystal formation of poly(L-lactide) with solvent molecules. Macromolecules 45:1384–1397

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Tsuji H (2005) Poly(lactide) stereocomplexes: Formation, structure, properties, degradation, and applications. Macromol Biosci 5:569–597

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Fukushima K, Kimura Y (2006) Stereocomplexed polylactides (Neo-PLA) as high-performance bio-based polymers: their formation, properties, and application. Polym Int 55:626–642

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Tsuji H, Hosokawa M, Sakamoto Y (2012) Ternary stereocomplex formation of one L-configured and two dconfigured optically active polyesters, poly(L-2-hydroxybutanoic acid), Poly(D-2-hydroxybutanoic acid), and Poly(D-lactic acid). ACS Macro Lett 1:687–691

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Tsuji H, Hosokawa M, Sakamoto Y (2013) Ternary stereocomplex crystallization of poly(L-2-hydroxybutanoic acid), poly(D-2-hydroxybutanoic acid), and poly(D-lactic acid) from the melt. Polymer 54:2190–2198

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Wasanasuk K, Tashiro K (2012) Theoretical and experimental evaluation of crystallite moduli of various crystalline forms of poly(L-lactic acid). Macromolecules 45:7019–7026

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Auras R, Harte B, Selke S (2004) An overview of polylactides as packaging materials. Macromol Biosci 4:835–864

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Tsuji H (2007) Degradation of poly(lactide)-based biodegradable materials. Nova, New York

    Google Scholar 

  14. Tsuji H (2010) Hydrolytic degradation. In: Auras R, Lim L-T, Selke SEM, Tsuji H (eds) Poly(lactic acid): synthesis, structures, properties, processing, and applications, Wiley series on polymer engineering and technology. Wiley, Hoboken, pp 345–381

    Google Scholar 

  15. de Jong SJ, Arias ER, Rijkers DTS, van Nostrum CF, Kettenes-van den Bosch JJ (2001) New insights into the hydrolytic degradation of poly(lactic acid): participation of the alcohol terminus. Polymer 42:2795–2802

    Google Scholar 

  16. Tsuji H, Fukui I, Daimon H, Fujie K (2003) Poly(L-lactide) XI. Lactide formation by thermal depolymerisation of poly(L-lactide) in a closed system. Polym Degrad Stab 81:501–509

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Wachsen O, Reichert KH, Krüger RP, Much H, Schulz G (1997) Thermal decomposition of biodegradable polyesters-III. Studies on the mechanisms of thermal degradation of oligo-L-lactide using SEC, LACCC and MALDI-TOF-MS. Polym Degrad Stab 55:225–231

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Tsuji H, Echizen Y, Nishimura Y (2006) Photodegradation of biodegradable polyesters: a comprehensive study on poly(L-lactide) and poly(ε-caprolactone). Polym Degrad Stab 91:1128–1137

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Tsuji H, Shimizu K, Sato Y (2012) Hydrolytic Degradation of Poly(L-lactic acid): Combined Effects of UV Treatment and Crystallization. J Appl Polym Sci 125:2394–2406

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Ikada Y, Tsuji H (2000) Biodegradable polyesters for medical and ecological applications. Macromol Rapid Commun 21:117–132

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Tempaku-cho, Toyohashi, Aichi, 441-8580, Japan

    Hideto Tsuji

Authors
  1. Hideto Tsuji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hideto Tsuji .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Fiber and Textile Science, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan

    Shiro Kobayashi

  2. Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany

    Klaus Müllen

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this entry

Cite this entry

Tsuji, H. (2015). Poly(l-Lactide). In: Kobayashi, S., Müllen, K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Polymeric Nanomaterials. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-29648-2_398

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation