Lactide-Valerolactone Copolymers for Packaging Applications

Lactide-valerolactone copolymers have potential application in the packaging sector. Different copolymers were synthesized, and the kinetics of the copolymerization reactions and the microstructure of the copolymers were analysed. Lactide showed higher reactivity than valerolactone which leads to composition drift through the reaction. Thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of the selected copolymers were studied. Overall, the incorporation of valerolactone results in copolymers with higher ductility than poly(lactide) with intermediate water and oxygen permeability which makes these materials appropriate candidates for use in the packaging sector.

Automated summary

Lactide-valerolactone copolymers have potential application in the packaging sector. Different copolymers were synthesized and their reaction kinetics and microstructure were analyzed. Lactide showed higher reactivity than valerolactone, resulting in composition drift during the reaction. The thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of the copolymers were also studied. The incorporation of valerolactone resulted in copolymers with higher ductility and intermediate water and oxygen permeability, making them suitable materials for packaging.