Synthesis and Properties of Polylactide-based Poly(ester-urethane)s with Ionic Groups

Abstract

In this work, the synthesis and the physical properties of poly(L-lactide-urethane)s (PLLAU) with ionic groups were studied. Using dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) as an initiator, L-lactide (L-LA) was polymerized in the presence of Sn(Oct)₂ to give hydroxytelechelic PLLA (PLLA-diol) bearing a carboxy group at the center of the polymer chain. Chain extension of the in situ generated PLLA-diol with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) afforded PLLAU having equally separated carboxy groups. PLLAU was treated with various metal acetates to give ionomers, and their thermal and mechanical properties were investigated.