Recent Progress in Using Stereocomplexation for Enhancement of Thermal and Mechanical Property of Polylactide

Polylactide (PLA) has been receiving significant attention in biopolymer research due to its excellent biodegradability, biocompatibility and sustainability. The mass production of PLA from renewable agricultural resources has delved this green material as a top alternative to replace the petroleum-based conventional polymers. However, the inherent weaknesses of PLA in its raw state such as brittleness, low heat distortion temperature and recrystallization rate, as well as the inadequate crystallization ability and degree after fast processing have limited the competitive edge of PLA over traditional synthetic plastics in industrial use or for biomedical applications. Being different from other types of biodegradable polymers, the diverse isomeric forms of PLA have provided great opportunities for thermal and mechanical enhancement through stereocomplexation formation. In this review, we present the most recent development in thermal and mechanical enhancement of PLA via stereocomplexation of PLA in diffe...