Production of polylactic acid aerogels via phase separation and supercritical CO2 drying: thermodynamic analysis of the gelation and drying process

Abstract The application range of aerogels, especially in the life-science sector, can be extended by utilizing biocompatible polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA). However, low glass transition temperature (Tg) PLA and challenging gelation techniques limit supercritical CO 2 (scCO ) drying thus PLA-aerogel production. aim this work is to overcome challenge provide a better understanding thermodynamics process. Therefore, amorphous (PDLLA) semicrystalline (PLLA) via thermal-induced phase separation (TIPS) was studied. To identify polymer/solvent/antisolvent ratios suitable for gelation, thermodynamic modeling (PC-SAFT) used describe corresponding ternary diagrams. scCO preserve mesoporous gel structure formed during gelation. Due decrease Tg presence , could not applied all gels. It found that critical parameter enable crystallinity degree (Xc) polymer. Based on these results, some guidelines producing aerogels from with are formulated. Graphical abstract