Fabrication and characterization of poly(L-lactic acid) gels induced by fibrous complex crystallization with solvents

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Polymer

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2014.06.086· OSTI ID:1159496

Matsuda, Yasuhiro ^[1]; Fukatsu, Akinobu ^[2]; Wang, Yangyang ^[1]; Miyamoto, Kazuaki ^[2]; Mays, Jimmy ^[3]; Tasaka, Shigeru ^[2]

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1. ORNL
2. Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Japan
3. University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK)

Complex crystal induced gelation of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) solutions was studied for a series of solvents, including N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). By cooling the solutions prepared at elevated temperatures, PLLA gels were produced in solvents that induced complex crystals ( -crystals) with PLLA. Fibrous structure of PLLA in the gel with DMF was observed by polarizing optical microscopy, field emission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Upon heating, the crystal form of PLLA in the DMF gel changed from -crystal to a-crystal, the major crystal form in common untreated PLLA films, but the morphology and high elastic modulus of the gel remained until the a-crystal dissolved at higher temperature. In addition, a solvent exchanging method was developed, which allowed PLLA gels to be prepared in other useful solvents that do not induce -crystals without losing the morphology and mechanical properties.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1159496
• Journal Information: Polymer, Vol. 55, Issue 16; ISSN 0032-3861
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English