Morphology and mechanical property of quenched poly(L-lactide)/N,N-dimethylacetamide gels

Mechanically tough poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)/ N,N -dimethylacetamide (DMAc) gels by rapid quenching using liquid nitrogen (LN) were synthesized. PLLA/DMAc solution at 110 °C was cooled room temperature (PLLA-RT), or quenched LN before keeping RT (PLLA-LN). PLLA-RT with the PLLA concentrations of 5, 8, and 11 wt% did not form gel, while 14 17 could brittle gel exhibiting coarse structures. In contrast, PLLA-LN stable regardless concentration. The storage modulus concentration increased from 78.7 kPa (PLLA-RT) to 563.7 (PLLA-LN) strain 0.1%. From structural analysis, formed spherulites (100–200 μm in diameter), whereas relatively uniform network structures continuous microporous skeletons without spherulites. changes significantly contributed formation stable, re-moldable, biodegradable, biocompatible physical ecofriendly enhanced mechanical properties. • Poly(L-lactide)/N,N-dimethylacetamide (PLLA/DMAc) differently obtain gel. made cooling mechanically tougher microstructure depended on concentration, that independent. spherulites, skeletons.