Progress on the Synthesis Research of Poly(Lactic Acid)

As a kind of important biodegradable material,poly(lactic acid)(PLA) is extensively applied in the field of biomedicine,fiber,and plastics.Based on the analysis of both the direct polycondensation of lactic acid(LA) and the two-step ring-opening polymerization of lactide,the new progress on the synthesis research of PLA was reviewed from monomer purity,catalyst choice,azeotropic dehydration,microwave assistance,supercritical fluid medium to solid state polymerization,reaction extrusion,and chain extension.In the future,the comprehensive adoption of all kinds of novel method and technology is the key to synthesize high molecular weight PLA with lower cost.