Underexplored Stereocomplex Polymeric Scaffolds with Improved Thermal and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Stereocomplexation has been shown to enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of polymers. The scope and utility of stereocomplexation have focused primarily on toughening of poly­(l-lactic acid) (PLLA). Recently, additional polyester and polycarbonate systems with more diverse properties and functionality have also exhibited the ability to form stereocomplexes which is coupled to enhanced thermal properties similar to those exhibited by stereocomplexed-PLA (SC-PLA). This Perspective will highlight recent and future efforts that aim to discover new stereocomplexable scaffolds and expand their use in the formation of molecular and supramolecular assemblies and in biomaterial applications.

Innovations in applications and prospects of bioplastics and biopolymers: a review

“…The recent advancements in polylactic acid research have been focused on the augmentation of its inferior thermal and mechanical properties through stereo-complexed polylactides (Neo-polylactic acid or Neo-PLA). The stereo-complex form of polylactic acid comprises poly(L-lactide) and its enantiomer poly(D-lactide), which showcase a high melting temperature of 230 °C (Tutoni and Becker 2020 ). Furthermore, the composites of polylactic acid are gaining consideration because of their multipurpose properties and applications.…”

Photoinduced Reversible Semicrystalline‐to‐Amorphous State Transitions of Stereoregular Azopolyesters

“…Photoinduced Reversible Transitions between Semicrystalline Stereocomplexes and Amorphous cis‐Azopolyesters . Recently, macromolecular stereocomplexation‐the formation of an interlocked orderly assembly of polymer chains with two different enantiomeric configurations‐has received much attention due to its ability to enhance thermal properties and reveal new crystalline behaviors that significantly differ from those of the component enantiomer [24, 25] . Serendipitously, we discovered that the synthesized chiral trans ‐polyesters could form stereocomplexes, upon mixing the ( R )‐ and ( S )‐enantiomers in a 1:1 mass ratio.…”

“…Recently, macromolecular stereocomplexation-the formation of an interlocked orderly assembly of polymer chains with two different enantiomeric configurations-has received much attention due to its ability to enhance thermal properties and reveal new crystalline behaviors that significantly differ from those of the component enantiomer. [24,25] Serendipitously, we discovered that the synthesized chiral transpolyesters could form stereocomplexes, upon mixing the (R)-and (S)-enantiomers in a 1:1 mass ratio. For example, a 1:1 mixture of trans-(R)-poly(1 a-alt-MPA) (number average molecular weight, M n = 5.4 kg mol À1 , dispersity, = 1.24) and trans-(S)-poly(1 a-alt-MPA) (M n = 5.7 kg mol À1 , = 1.20) was prepared by dissolving equivalent amounts of polyesters with opposite enantiomeric configurations in CH 2 Cl 2 and slowly evaporating the solvent to prepare a solvent-insoluble powder.…”

Induction of Stereocomplex Crystallization in Poly(l‐lactide)/Poly(d‐lactide) Blends with High Molecular Weight by Halloysite Nanotubes

“…This close packing offers properties like good hydrolysis resistance along with improved thermal and mechanical properties thus improving the performance of the polymer. [7][8][9] Unfortunately, SC in high molecular weight (M w ) (M w > 4 × 10 4 g mol -1 ) PLA samples is difficult to form, [10] which limits its industrial applications. Therefore, considerable studies have explored the preparation of SCs in high-molecular-weight samples.…”