Difference between revisions of "Team:TU Darmstadt/Project/Polymers"

Polymers

PLGA

In order to produce PLGA and PLGC, there are many different ways of polymerization. Given that our polymer is a polyester, there are two possibilities of polymerization. The first one is a polycondensation directly out of the monomers lactic- and glycolic acid by eliminating water molecules. A problem of this method is, that the resulting polymer has lower molecular weights, which diminish the mechanical characteristics. Another possibility is to use an anionic ring opening polymerization. However, it is necessary to dimerize the monomers before using them for such a polymerization, otherwise an anionic ring opening polymerization would not work. The reason why we chose an anionic ring opening polymerization for our project is the fact that such a polymerization causes high molecular weights and is controllable by the amount of initiator used in the set up. The manufactured polymers are then analyzed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) to determine their molecule weight.
For more information, visit the PLGA page.

PLGC

Due to the fact, that PLGC is similar constructed to PLGA, the way of manufacturing is the same. PLGC is also synthesized via an anionic ring-opening polymerization. Both, the mechanism and the problems during the synthesis are identical. The essential difference lies in both the mechanical characteristics, which is explained in the background, and the degradation behaviors of both polymers. The degradation behavior is an important polymer characteristic for all applications of PLGA and PLGC. Therefore we will focus on the structural difference, which leads to different characteristics. To analyze the synthesized PLGC, we also use GPC and NMR-spectroscopy. After that we used our purified polymer to manufacture PLGC nanospheres.
For more information visit the PLGC page

Characterization & Analysis

To characterize and analyze our polymers, we used gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). To analyze the nanospheres, we used dynamic light scattering spectroscopy (DLS), confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
For more information visit the Analysis page

Applications

The PLA co-polymers are biodegradable and can be used as wrapping materials, surgery supplies like suture stitches, or drug delivery systems for therapeutics. We also put a focus on the manufacturing of nanospheres as a delivery system.
For more information visit the Application page