Blends of poly(L-lactic acid) with poly(ω-pentadecalactone) synthesized by enzyme-catalyzed polymerization

Abstract

Poly(ω-pentadecalactone) (PPDL) was synthesized by enzyme-catalyzed polymerization. The molecular weight of the PPDL was about 35,000. Opaque poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA)/PPDL blend films were created by the solvent casting technique. The addition of PPDL led to PLLA crystallization. Furthermore, the addition of PPDL with PLLA increased both the Young's modulus [pure PLLA : 0.67 GPa, PLLA/PPDL (70/30 wt %) : 1.01 GPa] and the PLLA glass transition temperature. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.