Polymers based on PLA from synthesis using D,L Lactic acid (or racemic lactide) and some biomedical applications : a short review

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: França, Juliene Oliveira Campos de
Publication Date: 2022
Other Authors: Valadares, Deborah da Silva, Paiva, Mateus Freitas, Dias, Sílvia Cláudia Loureiro, Dias, José Alves
Format: Article
Language: eng
Source: Repositório Institucional da UnB
Download full: https://repositorio.unb.br/handle/10482/44425
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14122317
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9145-2752
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3589-6500
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5819-5574
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3351-9226
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0042-0091
Summary: Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an important polymer that is based on renewable biomass resources. Because of environmental issues, more renewable sources for polymers synthesis have been sought for industrial purposes. In this sense, cheaper monomers should be used to facilitate better utilization of less valuable chemicals and therefore granting more sustainable processes. Some points are raised about the need to study the total degradability of any PLA, which may require specific composting conditions (e.g., temperature, type of microorganism, adequate humidity and aerobic environment). Polymerization processes to produce PLA are presented with an emphasis on D,L-lactic acid (or rac-lactide) as the reactant monomer. The syntheses involving homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic processes to produce poly(D,L-Lactic acid) (PDLLA) are also addressed. Additionally, the production of blends, copolymers, and composites with PDLLA are also presented exemplifying different preparation methods. Some general applications of these materials mostly dedicated to the biomedical area over the last 10–15 years will be pointed out.