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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #126296
Title: A LITERATURE REVIEW OF POLY(LACTIC ACID)

Author
item Garlotta, Donald

Submitted to: Journal of Environment and Polymers
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2000
Publication Date: 4/1/2002
Citation: GARLOTTA, D.V. A LITERATURE REVIEW OF POLY(LACTIC ACID). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENT AND POLYMERS. 2002. v. 9. n. 2. p. 63-84.

Interpretive Summary: Poly (lactic acid) is one of the few biodegradable polymers obtained from annually renewable resources. It is derived from corn, one of the most important agricultural commodities in America. Poly (lactic acid) is a thermoplastic polymer from which industrial packaging, medical devices, and personal care products can be made. It has a reasonable shelf life for most single-use packaging applications, and when disposed of properly, will degrade to harmless, natural products. Quite a large amount of research has been done on poly (lactic acid), and there exists in excess of 1500 publications related to poly (lactic acid). Since poly (lactic acid) literature is easily accessible, it makes sense to write a review on poly (lactic acid), utilizing previous literature publications. A literature review is, in effect, a summary of the research done on poly (lactic acid). Now, due to environmental concerns, interest in poly (lactic acid) utilization is growing. This is evident in Cargill-Dow's expanded presense in the U.S. and European poly (lactic acid) market. This review will re-examine the old literature and reconcile this with the newer poly (lactic acid) research to illustrate some of the unique properties of, and opportunities for poly (lactic acid).

Technical Abstract: A literature review is presented regarding the synthesis, and physico- chemical, and mechanical properties of poly (lactic acid) (PLA). Poly (lactic acid) exists as a polymeric helix, with an orthorhomic unit cell. The tensile properties of PLA can vary widely, depending on whether or not it is annealed, oriented, or what its degree of crystallinity is. Also discussed are the effects or processing on PLA. Crystallization and crystallization kinetics of PLA are also investigated. Solution and melt rheology of PLA is also discussed. Four different power-law equations and 14 different Mark-Houwink equations are presented for PLA. Nuclear magnetic resonance, UV-VIS, and FTIR spectroscopy of PLA are briefly discussed. Finally, research conducted on starch-PLA coomposites are introduced.