Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), IV 2.4 dL/g
Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) is a bioresorbable, biodegradable polymer widely studied in biomedical materials research due
to its biocompatibility and mechanical performance. It is commonly used in the development of resorbable medical
device concepts and biomaterials research applications such as sutures, bone fixation constructs, tissue scaffolds,
and drug delivery systems.
PLLA biodegradation is primarily driven by hydrolysis of ester linkages. Degradation rate can vary based on material
properties and use conditions, including molecular weight, part thickness/geometry, pH, exposure to enzymes, and
other biological factors.
Polysciences offers PLA homopolymer and copolymer products with varying molecular weights to support research and
formulation needs.
Key Properties
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Polymer type: Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) (PLA homopolymer)
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Intrinsic viscosity (IV): 2.4 dL/g
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Biodegradation mechanism: Hydrolysis of ester linkages (primary pathway)
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Performance profile: Commonly selected when higher mechanical integrity is required (application-dependent)
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Typical use: Biomedical materials research and device development studies
Applications
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Resorbable medical device research (sutures, fixation concepts, resorbable constructs)
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Tissue engineering and scaffolds (biomaterials research where cell support and structure are evaluated)
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Drug delivery systems (polymer matrices and long-term resorption studies)
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Biodegradation and kinetics studies (effects of molecular weight, geometry, and conditions on degradation)
Synonyms
- PLLA
- Poly(L-lactic acid)
- Poly(L-lactide)
FAQs
Common questions about Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), IV 2.4 dL/g.
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What is Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) used for?
PLLA is widely studied in biomedical materials research and is commonly used in the development of
resorbable device concepts and biomaterials systems such as sutures, fixation constructs, scaffolds, and
drug delivery matrices.
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How does PLLA biodegrade?
PLLA primarily degrades through hydrolysis of its ester linkages. The resulting degradation profile depends
on polymer properties and environmental conditions.
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What does an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of 2.4 dL/g indicate?
Intrinsic viscosity is commonly used as an indirect indicator of polymer molecular weight when measured
under defined conditions. An IV of 2.4 dL/g generally corresponds to a relatively high molecular weight
compared to lower-IV PLA/PLLA grades, depending on test method and conditions.
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What factors affect PLLA degradation rate?
Degradation rate can vary with molecular weight, part thickness/geometry, processing history and
crystallinity, pH, temperature, and biological conditions such as enzyme exposure.
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How is PLLA different from PLGA?
PLLA is a PLA homopolymer (lactide-only), while PLGA contains both lactide and glycolide units. Incorporating
glycolide generally increases hydrophilicity and accelerates hydrolytic degradation relative to PLA, though
outcomes depend on molecular weight and conditions.
