The biodegradation of lactic acid-based poly(ester-urethanes) |
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Authors: | Kari Hiltunen Jukka V SeppÄlÄ Merja ItÄvaara Mika HÄrkönen |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Chemical Engineering,Laboratory of Polymer Technology, Helsinki University of Technology, Kemistintie 1, FIN-02150 Espoo, Finland;(2) Technical Research Centre of Finland, Biotechnology and Food Research, Tietotie 2, 02044 VTT Finland |
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Abstract: | The biodegradability of lactic acid based poly(ester-urethanes) was studied using the headspace test method, which was performed
at several elevated temperatures. The poly(ester-urethanes) were prepared using a straight two-step lactic acid polymerization
process. The lactic acid is first condensation polymerized to a low molecular weight hydroxyl-terminated telechelic prepolymer
and then the molecular weight is increased with a chain extender such as diisocyanate. In the biodegradation studies the effect
of different stereostructures (different amounts of D-units in the polymer chain), the length of ester units, and the effect
of crosslinking on the biodegradation rate were studied. The results indicate that poly(ester-urethanes) do not biodegrade
at 25‡C, but at elevated temperatures they biodegrade well. The different stereostructures and crosslinking have a strong
influence on the biodegradation rate. The length of ester units in the polymer chain also affects the biodegradation rate,
but much less than crosslinking and stereostructure. |
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Keywords: | Biodegradation poly(ester-urethanes) headspace test method lactic acid |
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