Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), 50:50, IV 0.4 dL/g, Acid-terminated
Intrinsic Viscosity 0.4 dL/g | Acid-terminated
Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) is a biodegradable copolymer composed of D,L-lactide and glycolide monomers in a
50:50 molar ratio, a composition commonly associated with relatively rapid hydrolytic degradation compared to
lactide-rich PLGA grades.
This grade is acid-terminated and has an intrinsic viscosity of 0.4 dL/g, indicating a lower molecular weight suited
for applications requiring short degradation timelines, enhanced polymer end-group reactivity, or efficient
processing into microspheres and particles.
PLGA is widely studied due to its biocompatibility and predictable degradation behavior in biomedical and
pharmaceutical research.
Key Properties
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Polymer type: Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)
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Monomer ratio: 50:50 (D,L-lactide:glycolide)
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Termination: Acid-terminated
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Intrinsic viscosity (IV): 0.4 dL/g
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Molecular weight: Lower molecular weight PLGA grade
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Degradation behavior: Relatively rapid hydrolytic degradation
Specifications
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Inherent viscosity (ηinh): 0.35–0.45 dL/g
Solubility
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Soluble in: Dichloromethane (DCM), tetrahydrofuran (THF), ethyl acetate, acetone
Typical Applications
- Drug delivery systems (microspheres, nanoparticles, controlled-release formulations)
- Pharmaceutical formulation development
- Polymer degradation and kinetics studies
- Biomedical research applications
Synonyms
FAQs
Common questions about PLGA 50:50, IV 0.4 dL/g (acid-terminated).
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What does “PLGA 50:50” indicate?
It refers to the molar ratio of lactide to glycolide units in the copolymer. A 50:50 ratio is commonly used
in research and is associated with relatively rapid hydrolytic degradation.
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What does acid-terminated PLGA mean?
Acid-terminated PLGA contains terminal carboxyl groups, which can influence degradation behavior and
support certain formulation or modification strategies.
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What does an IV of 0.4 dL/g indicate?
Intrinsic viscosity is commonly used as an indirect indicator of molecular weight. An IV of 0.4 dL/g
generally corresponds to a lower molecular weight PLGA grade.
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Why is PLGA 50:50 used for short-duration studies?
The 50:50 monomer ratio and lower molecular weight are commonly associated with faster hydrolytic
degradation compared to lactide-rich or higher-IV PLGA grades.
