Poly(L-lactide) networks with tailored water sorption

A poly(L-lactide) diol was obtained through ring opening polymerization of L-lactide, using 1,6 hexanediol and tin(II) 2 ethylhexanoate as a catalyst. In the second step, the poly(L-lactide) macromer (mLA) was obtained by the reaction of poly(L-lactide) diol with methacrylic anhydride. The effective incorporation of the polymerizable end groups was assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR). Besides, poly(L-lactide) networks (pmLA) were prepared by photopolymerization of mLA. Further, the macromer was copolymerized with 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate seeking to tailor the hydrophilicity of the system. A set of hydrophilic copolymer networks were obtained. The phase microstructure of the new system and the network architecture was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and water sorption studies.