Amidolysis of some biodegradable polymers

Some biodegradable polymers, poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), polylactide (PL) and polypropylene carbonate (PPC) were amidolysed by ammonia solution at room temperature or 30 degrees C. The degraded polymers were examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was used to measure molecular weights compared with standard polystyrene. The results showed that the polymers can be amidolysed by ammonia solution, but they show different amidolysed activity revealed by the tendency of relati ve viscosity in a Ubbelohde capillary viscometer at 30 degrees C changing w ith time. It is much more difficult for PCL to be amidolysed, while the ami dolysis of PL and PPC is relative easier to be fulfilled. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.