Terpolymers from Lactide and Bisphenol A Derivatives: Scale-Up, Properties, and Blends

Terpolymerization of L-lactide (LA) and bisphenol A derivatives was performed on few hundred gram scale, and the resultant terpolymer (TP) was characterized by gel permeation chromatography, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermogravimetric analysis. Moderate molecular weight (M(n) similar to 12 kg/mol) TP was achieved with glass transition temperatures about 100 degrees C (DSC and DMA). The TP exhibited improved thermal stability compared with polylactide (PLA), with a thermal degradation temperature of about 80 degrees C higher than PLA. Although the TP exhibited distinctly different surface morphology compared with that of PLA, both showed similar contact angle and surface energy (ca. 40 mN/m) properties. Blends of PLA and TP showed enhanced glass transition (similar to 5 degrees C change in T(g)) temperatures compared with PLA homopolymer. This is due to the compatibility of PLA and TP. Thus, TP could be used as an additive for PLA-based blends to enhance compatibility with phenolic-based resins. TP electrospun fiber morphology is also reported. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 2520-2528, 2011