Poly(L‑lactide) (PLLA, MW 60‑100K) is high‑molecular‑weight semi‑crystalline biodegradable aliphatic polyester synthesized via ring‑opening polymerization of high‑purity L‑lactide. Regular isotactic L‑lactide chain arrangement enables high‑degree crystalline domain formation, distinctly different from fully‑amorphous PDLLA. This high‑MW PLLA exhibits outstanding tensile strength, high modulus and favorable melt‑processing performance. It follows typical two‑stage hydrolytic degradation: amorphous domains undergo preferential hydrolysis, while dense crystalline regions greatly retard bulk degradation, delivering far longer degradation period compared with PDLLA of equivalent molecular weight. Degradation generates endogenous L‑lactic acid, which can be metabolized and eliminated in vivo with excellent biocompatibility. It is widely used for fabricating high‑strength structural scaffolds, thick electrospun membranes, implant‑type sustained‑release systems, and acts as prepolymer for end‑group functional modification in advanced biomedical research.
Key Features
- MW: 60000‑100000 Da, semi‑crystalline poly(L‑lactide); Tg ≈57‑65 °C, Tm ≈170‑180 °C
- Semi‑crystalline microstructure; amorphous regions degrade preferentially, crystalline fractions slow overall hydrolysis; degradation rate much slower than equal‑molecular‑weight PDLLA
- High tensile strength and modulus; compatible with hot‑press molding, injection molding, electrospinning, solvent casting, preparation of high‑strength microspheres and implants
- Excellent biocompatibility; degradation metabolite is endogenous L‑lactic acid
- Soluble in DCM, CHCl₃, THF, DMF; sparingly soluble in hot toluene; insoluble in water, short‑chain alcohols and aliphatic alkanes
- Hygroscopic polymer; ester bonds are highly susceptible to moisture‑catalyzed hydrolysis; strict full‑process moisture‑proof handling and storage are required
Applications
- Matrix material for high‑strength PLLA microspheres and implant depots for long‑term sustained‑release of small‑molecule drugs, peptides and biomacromolecules
- Raw polymer for rigid porous structural scaffolds, thick high‑performance electrospun membranes for long‑cycle tissue‑engineering and bone‑repair research
- Prepolymer intermediate for terminal functionalization to synthesize high‑molecular‑weight end‑modified PLLA derivatives
- Research‑grade raw material for high‑performance absorbable implant‑related biomaterial study
Handling & Storage
- Store at −20 °C under dry sealed condition; strictly moisture‑proof; avoid sharp temperature‑humidity fluctuations
- Fully equilibrate container to room temperature before opening package to prevent condensation‑water contamination
- Hermetically seal right after partial sampling; repeated freeze‑thaw cycles are strictly prohibited
- For research‑only use; not intended for direct clinical or diagnostic applications
AxisPharm offers 5000+ PEG Linkers with high purity. Different kinds of PEG Reagents may be available by custom synthesis.