Tacticity in poly(lactic acid) materials is essential to tuning polymer properties including thermal transitions, crystallinity and hydrolytic degradation. Our original work in this area examined control over polymer microstructure and macrostructure to tune the properties of poly(lactic acid) star polymers with potential biomedical applications. In this work we present our recent studies on poly(lactic acid)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers featuring varying degrees of isotactic enchainment (Pm). The tacticity of the PLA block alters the thermal properties, degradation and self-assembly of these materials including pyrene fluorescence probing of the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and hydrolytic degradation studies. Highlights of this joint macrostructure and microstructure control include copolymers with stereoblock PLA incorporating lower amounts of pyrene in their micellar core compared to isopure or stereocomplex forms, resulting in materials with lower micellar stability. By control of the Pm we can tune micellar stability, degradation and erosion rates of the copolymers for specific biomedical applications.

Tacticity-induced changes in the micellization and degradation of poly(lactic acid)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers

245th National Meeting (2013)

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