Controlled graft copolymerization of lactic acid onto starch in a supercritical carbon dioxide medium

This work presents a new approach for the synthesis of a starch-g-poly L-lactic acid (St-g-PLA) copolymer via the graft copolymerization of LA onto starch using stannous 2-ethyl hexanoate (Sn(Oct)(2)) as a catalyst in a supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) medium. The effects of several process parameters, including the pressure, temperature, scCO(2) flow rate and reaction time, on the polymerization yield and grafting degree were studied. Amorphous graft St-g-PLA copolymers with increased thermal stability and processability were produced with a high efficiency. The maximum grafting degree (i.e., 52% PLA) was achieved with the following reaction conditions: 6 h, 100 degrees C, 200 bar and a 1:3 (w/w) ratio of St/LA. It was concluded that these low cost biobased graft biopolymers are potential candidates for several environment-friendly applications. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.