Thermoplastic Cellulose Propionate-graft-Poly(L-lactide) Copolymers Homogeneously Synthesized by "One Pot" Process from Native Cellulose

Abstract

Using native cellulose as the starting materials and 4-dimethylaminopyridine(DMAP) as the catalyst,a series of novel cellulose propionate-graft-poly(L-lactide) copolymers(CP-g-PLAs) was synthesized in an ionic liquid AmimCl via "one pot" process.DMAP can effectively catalyze the propionylation of cellulose with propionic anhydride and the subsequent ring-opening grafting copolymerization of L-lactide(LA) from residual hydroxyl groups in cellulose.The structure of CP-g-PLA copolymers could be well controlled by changing the molar ratio of propionate hydride/cellulose and LA/cellulose.When PLA content above 27.46%,the copolymers exhibited thermoplastic behavior and could be shaped by conventional melt processing methods,such as injection molding.