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Biodegradable Polymers: Properties, Possibilities, and Limits Considering the Synthesis, Processing, and Application of Poly(2-Hydroxypropionic Acid) and Poly(3-Hydroxybutyric Acid)

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Polymers - Opportunities and Risks II

Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC,volume 12))

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers, like poly(2-hydroxypropionic acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB), are described with respect to possibilities and limits of their synthesis, degradation, processing, and application. The chemical structure and the processing as well as their influence on property spectrum are especially discussed for PLA and PHB multifilaments spun by an on-line spin-drawing process. This processing route was chosen, since it poses extremely high demands on the deformation ability of polymer melts, and the high deformation rates lead to a broad spectrum of different structures. Structure–property relationships are discussed including stress-induced crystallization, influence of differently crystalline modifications and various physical properties. Finally, economic aspects of PLA and PHB are addressed with respect to medical and technical applications.

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Abbreviations

α :

Crystallinity

ω :

Shear frequency

η*:

Complex melt viscosity function

γ a :

Density of the amorphous part

γ c :

Density of the crystalline part

ε H :

Elongation at break

ΔH Mo :

Equilibrium heat of fusion

3HB:

3-Hydroxybutyric acid

3HV:

3-Hydroxypentanic acid

AFM:

Atomic force microscopy

d-LA,d-2-Hydroxypropionic acid:

(d-Lactic acid)

DR:

Draw ratio

DSC:

Differential scanning calorimetry

E :

E-Modulus

G′:

Storage modulus

G″:

Loss modulus

LA:

2-Hydroxypropionic acid, (Lactic acid)

l-LA:

l-2-Hydroxy propionic acid, (l-Lactic acid)

M w :

Weight-average molecular weight

P2HA:

Poly(2-hydroxyalkanoic acids)

P3HA:

Poly(3-hydroxyalkanoic acids)

PEO:

Poly(ethyleneoxide)

PET:

Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

PHA:

Poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid)

PHB:

Poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid)

PHB/PHV:

Copolymer based on 3HB and 3HV

PLA:

Poly(2-hydroxypropionic acid), Poly(lactic acid)

PL-LA:

Poly(L-2-hydroxypropionic acid), Poly(L-lactic acid)

PVAc:

Poly(vinylacetate)

PVC:

Poly(vinylchloride)

R H :

Tenacity at break

t :

Time of conditioning

T G :

Glass transition temperature

T Mo :

Equilibrium melting temperature of an infinite crystal

WAXS:

Wide-angle X-ray scattering

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leibniz Institut für Polymerforschung (IPF) Dresden e. V., Hohe Str. 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany

    G. Schmack

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  1. G. Schmack
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Correspondence to G. Schmack .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Chemische Technologie (ICT), Fraunhofer Institut für, Joseph-von-Fraunhofer Str. 7, Pfinztal, 76327, Germany

    Peter Eyerer

  2. Sophienstr. 128, Karlsruhe, 76135, Germany

    Martin Weller

  3. Chemische Technologie (ICT), Fraunhofer Institut für, Joseph-von-Fraunhofer Str. 7, Pfinztal, 76327, Germany

    Christof Hübner

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Schmack, G. (2009). Biodegradable Polymers: Properties, Possibilities, and Limits Considering the Synthesis, Processing, and Application of Poly(2-Hydroxypropionic Acid) and Poly(3-Hydroxybutyric Acid). In: Eyerer, P., Weller, M., Hübner, C. (eds) Polymers - Opportunities and Risks II. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry(), vol 12. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2009_18

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