Poly(L‑lactide) (PLLA, MW 180‑250K) is ultra‑high‑molecular‑weight semi‑crystalline biodegradable aliphatic polyester synthesized by ring‑opening polymerization of high‑purity L‑lactide monomer. Highly regular isotactic L‑chain configuration forms dense crystalline domains, which is fundamentally different from fully‑amorphous PDLLA. This ultra‑high‑MW PLLA delivers supreme tensile strength, ultra‑high modulus and excellent melt‑viscosity for demanding thermal processing. It exhibits typical two‑stage hydrolytic degradation: amorphous regions degrade preferentially, while compact crystalline segments greatly retard bulk hydrolysis, leading to multi‑year in‑vivo degradation cycle, much slower than PDLLA with identical molecular weight. Degradation yields endogenous L‑lactic acid that can be metabolized and eliminated by organism with outstanding biocompatibility. It is widely adopted for heavy‑load orthopedic fixation prototypes, high‑strength thick‑wall structural scaffolds, high‑viscosity electrospun materials and long‑term implant drug‑delivery systems in advanced biomedical research.
Key Features
- MW: 180000‑250000 Da, semi‑crystalline poly(L‑lactide); Tg ≈59‑67 °C, Tm ≈172‑182 °C
- Semi‑crystalline microstructure; amorphous domains hydrolyze first, compact crystalline fractions suppress overall degradation rate; far slower degradation versus equal‑MW PDLLA
- Supreme mechanical strength and modulus; high melt viscosity, compatible with extrusion, hot‑press molding, injection molding, high‑viscosity electrospinning and fabrication of heavy‑duty load‑bearing 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
- Extremely hygroscopic; ester bonds are highly susceptible to moisture‑catalyzed hydrolysis; strict full‑process moisture‑proof handling and storage are mandatory
Applications
- Matrix material for ultra‑high‑strength long‑acting PLLA implant depots for multi‑year sustained release of small‑molecule drugs, peptides and biological macromolecules
- Raw polymer for heavy‑duty load‑bearing porous scaffolds and ultra‑thick high‑performance electrospun membranes for bone‑defect repair and multi‑year tissue‑engineering research
- Prepolymer feedstock for synthesis of ultra‑high‑molecular‑weight end‑functionalized PLLA derivatives
- Research‑grade raw material for developing high‑strength absorbable orthopedic implant biomaterials
Handling & Storage
- Store at −20 °C under dry sealed condition; strictly moisture‑proof; avoid severe temperature‑humidity fluctuations
- Fully equilibrate container to room temperature before opening package to prevent condensation‑water contamination
- Hermetically seal immediately 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.