Synthesis and Characterizations of Poly (Lactic Acid) by Ring-Opening Polymerization for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

The development of biomaterials for application in medicine is one of the great challenges of research in material science. The poly (a-hydroxy acids) are the principal biodegradable and bioresorbable polymers used in tissue engineering. Among the biomaterials (biopolymers) used in the medical field, the poly (lactic acid) (PLA) has received significant attention. It is produced from lactic acid, a naturally occurring organic acid that can be produced by fermentation. The attractive price and commercial availability of lactic acid are important reasons for PLA development. PLA and its copolymers are being used in biomedical area in the form of implants or devices due to its excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, lactide was synthesized and Poly lactic acid produced. The objective of this study was to investigate the PLA production in laboratory scale. Characterization by FTIR of the lactide and PLA production was made to confirm the polymerization and a possible use as biomaterial.