The Synthesis of Cellulose-graft-poly (L-lactide) by Ring-opening Polymerization and the Study of Its Degradability

Cellulose-graft-poly (L-lactide) (cellulose-g-PLLA) was successfully prepared via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) by using 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) as an organic catalyst in an ionic liquid 1-allyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (AmimCl). The structure and morphology of the polymer was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). From wide-angle X-ray powder diffraction (WAXD) and degradation test (by acid, alkaline, PBS and enzyme solution), changes in the crystalline structure as a result of degradation was also investigated. The results indicated that materials which have low degree of crystallinity showing higher degradability, however, in acid liquor, enzyme solution, alkaline liquor and PBS system, the degradation rate of the polymer decreased by the above sequence. Moreover, with the further increase of graft degree of this material, its degradation degree decreased.