Abstract
Poly(L-lactic acid)(PLLA) and Pluronic surfactants (poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO)/poly(propylene oxide)
(PPO) /poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO) triblock copolymer), with various compositions, were prepared by using the solventcast
technique. Chloroform was used as a co-solvent. The effects of the addition of Pluronic on the properties of the
PLLA film have been investigated with wide-angle X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, in vitro
degradation and gel permeation chromatography. As a result, we have the following conclusions : (1) the addition of
Pluronic increases crystallinity of PLLA, (2) the addition of Pluronic influences the thermal properties of PLLA, and (3)
the hydrolysis of PLLA/Pluronic blends depends on the composition of Pluronic. The decrease of the molecular weight
of Pluronic or the increase of PEO contents in Pluronic components accelerates the hydrolysis of PLLA.
