The stereoisomeric composition of lactide, the cyclic dimer of lactic acid, has a significant impact on the thermal properties of polylactic acid (PLA). Lactide exists in two main stereoisomeric forms: L-lactide and D-lactide. The ratio of these isomers in the polymerization feedstock determines the crystallinity of the resulting PLA. Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), made predominantly from L-lactide, is a semi-crystalline polymer. Its high L-isomer content allows the polymer chains to pack closely together, forming o....
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