Abstract
The effect of the addition of stereocomplex polylactide with different contents and particle sizes to a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) matrix was investigated. The organic filler stereocomplex polylactide affects the mechanical properties of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) as an organic nucleating agent without any surface modification. A low content of organic stereocomplex polylactide particles in the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) blends enhanced their mechanical properties. A smaller stereocomplex polylactide particle size improves the mechanical properties of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) blends more effectively. The improvement in the mechanical properties of the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) blends stemmed from the nucleating effects of the stereocomplex polylactide particles in the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) matrix. The optimum content and homogeneous distribution of stereocomplex polylactide particles increased Young's modulus and tensile strength by approximately 15% and 30%, respectively. The presence of stereocomplex polylactide particles also accelerated the hydrolytic degradation, as represented by a decrease in the molecular weight. The improvements in the mechanical properties and hydrolytic degradation acceleration match the requirements of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) applications as bone fracture fixation materials.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3-14 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2016 Jan 1 |
Keywords
- Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)
- hydrolytic degradation
- mechanical property
- polylactide
- stereocomplex
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Bioengineering
- Biomaterials
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry