THE INFLUENCE OF REACTION TIME ON THE PROPERTIES OF MICROWAVE SYNTHESIZED POLY(LACTIDE)

Abstract

The consequence of drastic reduction in fossil fuel reserves has forced the scientific community to find and develop new ways to exploit renewable resources and optimize the process of polymer materials production. The aim is to obtain applicable polymer whose complete life cycle is set in ecological framework. Poly(lactide) (PLA) meets these requirements as biodegradable polyester whose monomer is derived from the plant feedstock containing carbohydrates. PLA could be prepared using the different synthesis routes, but from the point of energy saving, as well as environmental protection, the microwave synthesis of PLA is the best solution. In this work, poly(L-lactide) were synthesized in microwave reactor. Reaction time was varied, while the other parameters of the synthesis were constant. The structures of obtained polymers were confirmed by Fourier – transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). For determination of molar masses of poly(L-lactide) samples, the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was applied. Thermal properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Keywords: poly(lactide), microwave synthesis, molar mass, thermal properties.