• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.285-290
• /
• 2023

Poly-lactic acid (PLA) is the most promising polymer in additive manufacturing as an alternative to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Since it is produced from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugar beets, it is also biocompatible and biodegradable. However, PLA has a couple of issues that limit its use. First, it has a comparatively low glass transition temperature of around 60 ℃, such that it exhibits low thermal resistance. Second, PLA has low impact strength because it is brittle. Due to these problems, scientists have found methods to improve the crystallinity and ductility of PLA. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is one of the most studied plasticizers for PLA to give it chain mobility. However, the blend of PLA and PEG becomes unstable, and phase separation occurs even at room temperature as PEG is self-crystallized. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the optimal mixing ratio of PLA-PEG at the molecular scale. In this study, molecular dynamics will be conducted with various ratios of L-type PLA (PLLA) or DL-type PLA-PEG (PDLA-PEG) systems by using BIOVIA Materials Studio.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.165-174
• /
• 2017

This study reports a synthesis of an amphiphilic linear block copolymer consisting of a hydrophobic poly (lactide) (PLA) block and a hydrophilic hyperbranched polyglycerol (hbPG) block, PLA-b-hbPG. Simple chemical modification of the hbPG block with 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CA) led to a photo-crosslinkable block copolymer, PLA-b-hbPG-CA. Nanosized micelles of the block copolyemrs were used as drug carriers for sustainable release. The hbPG shell made of a small molecular weight hbPG block showed excellent hydrophilicity, which can minimize in vivo toxicity. The UV-crosslinked PLA-b-hbPG-CA micelles loaded with drugs colud be served as a drug delivery carrier for its biocompatibility and self-assembled structures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.1-4
• /
• 2005

Previous sucessful results of neocartilage formation using tissue engineering technique in immunocompromised nude mouse xenograft model were reported. For clinical application, autogenous cell is preferrable to allogenic or xenogenic cell for circumvention of immune rejection. This study evaluates the feasibility of producing a engineered cartilage using autogenous chondrocytes. Chondrocytes were isolated from the auricular catilage of New Zealand White rabbit and seeded onto PGA polymer coated with polylactic acid in round pattern(diameter 0.7 cm, thickness 0.1 cm) at a concentration $7{\times}10^7$ chondrocytes per $cm^3$. Each Autogenous Cell-polymer constructs were implanted subcutaneously into the left side of dorsum of twelve Rabbits. Polymer templates not containg cells were implanted into the right side as a control. Fifteen rabbits were sacrificed at the following intervals: 5 rabbits at nine weeks, 7 rabbits at twelve weeksNew autogenous cartilage formation which retained the approximate dimensions of origianl round polymer template in 11 of 12 cell seeded implants. Histological examination using hematoxyline and eosin stain revealed vast majority of implants developed into mature cartilage. This study opens up the possibility of autologus cell transplant to construct autogenous cartilge.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.44-50
• /
• 2007

This study investigated the effect of ultrasound irradiation on the blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The blends of PLA/PBAT(50/50) (PBAT50) were prepared in a melt mixer with an ultrasonic device attached. Thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties, morphology, and biodegradability of the sonicated blends were analysed. The viscosity of the sonicated blends was increased by the ultrasound irradiation owing to the strong interaction. The morphology of the sonicated blends was significantly dependent on the duration o the ultrasound irradiation. For PBAT50, the phase size reduction was maximized when the blends were ultrasonically irradiated for 30 sec. At longer duration of ultrasound irradiation, the PBAT phase underwent flocculation. Measurement of the tensile properties showed an increased breakage tensile stress and an enhanced Young's modulus when the blends were properly irradiated. This improvement was ascribed to better adhesion between the PLA matrix and the PBAT domain and to better dispersion of the PBAT phase. However, the tensile properties were maximized after excessive energy irradiation, which was ascribed to an emulsifying effect leading to coalescence of the PBAT phase. Impact strength was increased to reach a peak with the ultrasound irradiation, and was higher than the untreated sample for all sonicated samples due to the difference of failure mechanism between the tensile test and the impact test.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.623-633
• /
• 2001

Various bupivacaine-loaded microspheres were prepared using poly(d,1-lactide) (PLA) and poly(d,1-lactic-co-glycolide) (PLGA) by a solvent evaporation method for the sustained release of drug. The effects of process conditions such as drug loading, polymer type and solvent type on the characteristics of microspheres were investigated. The prepared microspheres were characterized for their drug loading, size distribution, surface morphology and release kinetics. Drug loading efficiency and yield of PLGA micro- spheres were higher than those of PLA microspheres. The prepared microspheres had an average particle size below 5${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. The particle size range of microspheres was 1.65~2.24${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. As a result of SEM, the particle size of PLA microspheres was smaller than that of PLGA microspheres. In morphology studies, microspheres showed a spherical shape and smooth surface in all process conditions. In thermal analysis, bupivacaine-loaded microspheres showed no peaks originating from bupivacaine. This suggested that bupivacaine base was molecular-dispersed in the polymer matrix of microspheres. The release pattern of the drug from microspheres was evaluated for 96 hours. The initial burst release of bupivacaine base decreased with increasing the molecular weight of PLGA, and the drug from microspheres released slowly. In conclusion, bupivacaine-loaded microspheres were successfully prepared from poly(d,1-lactide) and poly (d,1- lactic-co-glycolide) polymers with different molecular weights allowing control of the release rate.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.693-698
• /
• 2012

In this study aluminum isopropyl oxide ($Al(O-i-Pr)_3$) was supported on the amine-functionalized surface of silica to synthesize high molecular weight (MW) polylactide (PLA), and it was tested for PLA polymerization behaviors. A silica was funtionalized with silane compound having amine groups, then in-situ treated with $Al(O-i-Pr)_3$. $Al(O-i-Pr)_3$ attached to amine group on silica showed activity only in the presence of MAO (methyl aluminoxane). At the polymerization temperature of $115^{\circ}C$, the conversion and the MW of PLA were increased as the amount of silane was increased. At the polymerization temperature of $130^{\circ}C$, the conversion was decreased while the MW was increased drastically and reached to MW 44000 g/mol when the amine concentration was 3.0 mmol/g. A bimodal type GPC curve was shown at the polymerization temperature of $115^{\circ}C$. As the amount of amine group increased, the peaks of GPC curve were merged. At the polymerization of $130^{\circ}C$, a unimodal GPC curve was shown. $Al(O-i-Pr)_3$ supported on amine-functionalized silica was able to produce higher MW PLA with enhanced activity compared to homogeneous $Al(O-i-Pr)_3$.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.299.2-300
• /
• 2003

Various bupivacaine-Ioaded microspheres were prepared with poly (d,l-Iactide) (PLA) by solvent extraction method. The internal solution of polymer(PLA R104) and drug in glacial acetic acid was introduced into the external phase of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K-30) in polyethyleneglycol (PEG), and emulsified to be an oil-in-oil (o/o) emulsion. The o/o emulsion was poured to the buffer solution. (omitted)

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.293-299
• /
• 2000

Biodegradable microspheres made from poly-lactide-co-glycolide polymers have been considered as a new delivery system for single-dose vaccine. Purified tetanus toxoid (TT) was encapsulated in poly-lactide(PLA) and poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) microparticles using a solvent evaporation method in a multiple emulsion system (water-in oil-in water). The morphology of 77-loaded microparticles was spherical and the suface of them was smooth. The particle size was in a range of 2-10. Protein loading efficiency was 68-97.8%. PLGA (85:15) microparticle showed the highest efficiency. Protein release pattern was influenced by polymer molecular weight and composition. The release rate of PLA(Mw 100,000) microsphere was higher than any other microspheres. In consequence of the hydrolysis of PLGA(50:50) microspheres, environmental pH decreased from 7.4 to 5.0. The PLA, PLGA (75:25) and PLGA (85:15) microshperes showed no significant pH change. The antigenicity or n in microshperes was assayed by indirect sandwich ELISA using equine polyclonal tetanus antitoxin for capture antibody and human polyclonal tetanus antitoxin for primary antibody. The antigenicity of TT in PLA (Mw 100,000), PLGA(50:50, Mw 100,000) and PLGA (75:25, Mw 73,300) after 30 days incubation showed 54, 40.9 and 76.7%, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.134-140
• /
• 2013

UV curing was introduced via a chemical treatment by adding small amounts of a hexafunctional acrylic monomer and a photoinitiator to improve the mechanical properties of PLA. This study also employed a semi-interpenetrated structured polymer network through the process of UV-curing. The UV curing behaviors were investigated using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy and gel fraction determination. Also, the tensile strength was investigated with different hexafunctional acrylic monomer contents and UV doses. The results showed that the crosslinking of UV-induced chemically treated PLA started at a low content of hexafunctional acrylic monomer, resulting in a significant improvement of the mechanical properties compared to those of neat PLA due to crosslinking.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2006.10a
• /
• pp.48-49
• /
• 2006

The incorporation of heparin to biomaterials has been widely studied to improve the biocompatibility (blood and cell) of biomaterials surfaces. In our laboratory, various kinds of heparinized polymers including heparinized thermosensitive polymers ($Tetronic^{(R)}$-PLA(PCL)-heparin copolymers) and star-shaped PLA-heparin copolymers have been developed as a novel blood/cell compatible material. These heparinized polymers have demonstrated their unique properties due to bound heparin, resulting in improved biocompatibility. These heparinized bioactive polymers can be applied as blood and tissue compatible biodegradable materials in variable medical application such as tissue engineering and drug delivery system.