Author(s)

Zainab J. Sweah, Hadi S. Al-Lami, Athir M. Haddad^*

Department of Chemistry, College of science, University of Basrah Garmat Ali, Basrah, Iraq.

Novel triblock copolymers of poly (L-lactide)-poly (ethylene glycol)-sebacate-poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (L-lactide) were synthesized by Ring-Opening Polymerization of different ratios of L-lactide with other three pre-prepared poly (ethylene glycol)-sebacate-poly (ethylene glycol) polymers, coded A, B and C which had different poly (ethyleneglycol) chain lengths. The copolymers were characterized by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, which indicated that the reaction of ROP took place and led to producing nine triblock copolymers having new different lactide chain lengths (n = 10, 25 and 50), AL₁₀, AL₂₅, AL₅₀,BL₁₀, BL₂₅, BL₅₀, CL₁₀, CL₂₅, and CL₅₀. Nine polymer networks were also prepared from copolymers with sodium alginate S₁ - S₉ and finally mixed with a solution of hydroxyl ethyl cellulose to form SH₁ - SH₉.

Lactide Copolymers, Ring-Opening Polymerization, Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPN’s), Swelling Ratio

Sweah, Z. , Al-Lami, H. and Haddad, A. (2016) Preparation and Swelling Behavior of L-Lactide Interpenetrating Networks. Open Journal of Organic Polymer Materials, 6, 119-133. doi: 10.4236/ojopm.2016.64012.