Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) was reported to form complex crystals (e-crystals) with some solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) by exposing its films to the solvents. PLLA dissolved in these solvents was gelated by cooling the solutions to room temperature. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicates that PLLA formed e-crystals in DMF gels, but a-crystals, which are major crystals in PLLA films without exposing to solvents, in other solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA).   Scanning electron microscopy was carried out for freeze-dried DMF gel and precipitates from DMA solutions. PLLA in the DMF gel showed a fine network structure, while PLLA in the precipitates from DMA solutions had a wrinkled structure.   The structure of PLLA in the DMF gel was also observed by atomic force micrography and polarizing optical micrography, and the microstructures of PLLA and DMF were investigated by infrared spectroscopy.

Structure of poly(L-lactic acid) gel formed by complex crystals with solvents

248th National Meeting (2014)

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