Synthesis of melt-processable PLA-based stereocomplexes through a sustainable melt-approach

Abstract

Polylactide stereocomplexes (PLAsc) encompass renewability, good thermo-mechanical properties and high thermal stability. In this work we demonstrate a unique sustainable route based on a solvent-free reactive extrusion process that has been employed to obtain melt-processable PLAsc with good yield. This consists of carrying out both chain-extension and stereocomplexation of polylactide oligomers of D- and L-configuration using a novel T-shaped extrusion system. Interestingly, the approach was shown to be versatile and could be directly applied from starting monomeric materials.