A study of L-lactide ring-opening polymerization kinetics

Abstract

International audienceThe paper presents an experimental study of L-lactide polymerization in molten state using as initiator the Stannous Octoate. The experiments were performed in a Haake mixer. The operating temperatures were between 170 and 195°C, the reaction time up to 60 min and monomer to initiator initial molecular ratio between 102 and 5.103. The conversion was determined by using 1H NMR and the molecular weights distributions by SEC. A preliminary mathematical modeling study was also performed, based on experimental data and a previously published reaction scheme