Formation of Ring-Banded Spherulites of Poly (L-lactide) in its Miscible Mixture with an Ionic Liquid

Abstract

ABSTRACTIncorporation of an ionic liquid, nonvolatile and thermally stable, promoted formation of ring-banded spherulites in poly (l-lactide) (PLLA) during its sol–gel transition. Their formation is correlated with low viscosity and insignificant chain entanglements in the mixtures induced by the ionic liquid. In addition to a driving force for lamellar twisting that depended on the crystallization temperatures, it is believed that reduced lamellar twisting resistance caused by the ionic liquid plays a vital role in the formation of the ring-banded spherulites of PLLA from the mixtures. This study gives further insights into the structural formation of PLLA during a sol–gel transition, which could open new opportunities to tailor the properties of ion gels based on PLLA.