Reactive Extrusion of Stereocomplexed Poly‐<scp>L</scp>,<scp>D</scp>‐lactides: Processing, Characterization, and Properties

Abstract

Abstract This work reports a facile route to synthesize homochiral and stereocomplexed polylactide by reactive extrusion. The effect of the polymerization catalyst (combination of tin(II)octanoate and triphenylphosphine) before and after its deactivation is discussed. Poly‐ L ‐lactide (PLLA) exhibits homochiral crystallinity and diblock poly‐ L , D ‐lactide (PDLLA) exhibits stereocomplex crystallinity. The presence of residual monomer leads to a plasticizing effect, reducing glass transition temperature ( T g ). Changes of the tacticity ( L , D ‐tacticity) of the stereocomplex are due to the transesterification reactions between L and D units. Deactivation of the catalyst reduces transesterification reactions and preserves the polylactide stereocomplex upon heating. magnified image