Synthesis and properties of triblock copolymers from L-lactide and trimethylene carbonate

A triblock copolymer was synthesized by sequential ring-opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) and L-lactide was analyzed in the presence of small amount of diol compound. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopies were used to study the structure of the block copolymers whereas gel permeation chromatography was used to measure the molecular weights. The analysis of the thermal properties of the block copolymer showed the stability of the polymer upto 250 °C with decomposition onset shifting towards higher temperature as the molecular weight increased. The results showed that high crystallinity of the block copolymer was due to phase segregated morphology.