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Enzymatic Degradation of Biodegradable Polyester Composites of Poly( L ‐lactic acid) and Poly( ε ‐caprolactone)
Author(s) -
Tsuji Hideto,
Kidokoro Yuki,
Mochizuki Masatusgu
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.200600276
Subject(s) - rhizopus arrhizus , materials science , lipase , polyester , degradation (telecommunications) , polycaprolactone , caprolactone , chemical engineering , composite material , polymer chemistry , polymer , enzyme , organic chemistry , copolymer , chemistry , telecommunications , computer science , engineering
Summary: Two different types of biodegradable polyester composites, PLLA fiber‐reinforced PCL and PCL/PLLA blend films were prepared at PCL/PLLA ratio of 88/12 (w/w), together with pure PCL and PLLA films. Their enzymatic degradation was investigated by the use of Rhizopus arrhizus lipase and proteinase K as degradation enzymes for PCL and PLLA chains, respectively. In the FRP film, the presence of PLLA fibers accelerated the lipase‐catalyzed enzymatic degradation of PCL matrix compared with that in the pure PCL film, whereas in the blend film, the presence of PLLA chains dissolved in the continuous PCL‐rich domain retarded the lipase‐catalyzed enzymatic degradation of PCL chains. In contrast, in the FRP film, the proteinase K‐catalyzed enzymatic degradation of PLLA fibers was disturbed compared with that of the pure PLLA film, whereas in the blend film, the proteinase K‐catalyzed enzymatic degradation rate of particulate PLLA‐rich domains was higher than that of pure PLLA film. The reasons for aforementioned enhanced and disturbed enzymatic degradation are discussed.Normalized PCL weight loss of pure PCL, FRP, and blend films as a function of Rhizopus arrhizus lipase‐catalyzed enzymatic degradation time.