Thermoplastic elastomers based on poly(lactide)–poly(trimethylene carbonate-co-caprolactone)–poly(lactide) triblock copolymers and their stereocomplexes

Abstract

Triblock copolymers of poly(l-lactide)–poly(trimethylene carbonate-co-caprolactone)–poly(l-lactide) and poly(d-lactide)–poly(trimethylene carbonate-co-caprolactone)–poly(d-lactide) were prepared by sequential ring-opening polymerizations. These polymers are thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) with good tensile properties and excellent resistance to creep. In equimolar blends of these enantiomeric copolymers, stereocomplexation between the enantiomeric poly(lactide) segments occurs. Due to the enhanced phase separation, the specimens of stereocomplex have even better resistance to creep than the enantiomeric block copolymers.