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Schematic illustration of synthetic route for the preparation of branched PLLA. Schematic illustration of reaction scheme of enzymatic polymerization [154]. Schematic illustration of synthesis of macromonomers. Schematic illustration of structure of LA- and DMS-based macromonomers and macroinitiators (M: methacrylate, A: acrylate) [155].

      4.4.1 Graft Copolymers

      As mentioned earlier, the macromolecular design of a polymer regulates its physico‐chemical properties. Advanced structures such as combs, brushes, ladders, and so on were synthesized to meet the vast demands from different targeted applications of such polymers. Several graft copolymers based on LA are prepared to modify the properties such as degradability, transition temperatures (T g and T m), morphology, mechanical properties, and solubility. Surface characteristics of PLA films were modified by grafting. Micelle structures, having a multifunctional core and hydrophobic shell, were developed with higher drug activity and lower material toxicity. Some of these modifications are described in the following text. The star‐shaped highly branched polymers are discussed separately in Section 4.4.1.

      To prepare degradable polymers, graft copolymers of LA acting as macromonomer and t‐butylacrylate were prepared by free radical polymerization. An increase in LA units resulted in an increase in the degradation rate [156]. ATRP of MMA (96.5%) and (meth)acrylate‐terminated LA‐based macromonomer (M n 2800 g/mol, 3.5%) yielded a homogeneously branched poly(MMA‐g‐LA) of low dispersity (Đ = 1.15) [157]. The reactivity ratio of MMA for conventional radical polymerization is 1.09 while with ATRP is 0.57. This accounted for the lower dispersity of ATRP‐synthesized poly(MMA‐g‐LA).

      Degradable comb‐like polymer can be prepared by free radical copolymerization of LA‐based macromonomer with vinyl (N‐vinylpyrrolidone) and acrylic [MMA, methacrylic acid (MA)] monomers [158]. ROP to form PLA is not limited to synthesis of polymer and then fabricate or apply for specific purpose. Even PLA growth can be initiated at the surface via surface‐anchored poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (HEMA), which can then initiate ROP of LA using Sn(Oct)2 as a catalyst. An overall “bottle‐brush” structure of the polymer was obtained due to the formation of surface‐anchored poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐g‐LA) [159].

      PLA and its random copolymer with GA are grafted onto poly(vinyl alcohol) to increase hydrophilicity and manipulate the structure [160]. A novel comb‐type PLA was prepared using a depsipeptide–lactide random copolymer having pendant hydroxyl groups as macroinitiator for graft polymerization of LA. The comb‐type polymer had a lower T g, T m, and crystallinity than linear PLA [161].

      A graft copolymer of poly(NIPAAm‐co‐methacrylic acid)‐g‐DLLA, [poly((NIPAAm‐co‐MAAc)‐g‐LA)], along with diblock copolymers of DLLA and EG and poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) was used for the formation of mixed micelles with a multifunctional core and core/shell morphology. These micelles exhibited higher drug activity and lower material cytotoxicity than micelles based on formulation without the inclusion of diblock copolymers [162]. This formation of nanostructure allowed screening of the highly negative charges (due to the carboxylic groups) in the pristine graft copolymer.

      New thermoresponsive, pH‐responsive, and degradable nanoparticles comprising poly[DLA‐g‐(NIPAAm‐co‐methacrylic acid)] were prepared by grafting PDLA onto NIPAAm‐co‐methacrylic acid copolymer. A core–shell structure was formed with a hydrophilic outer shell and a hydrophobic inner core that exhibited a phase transition temperature above 37°C. The drug loading level of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) as encapsulated nanoparticles from these copolymers could be as high as 20%. The release of 5‐FU was controlled by the pH in the aqueous medium. These studies indicated that these nanoparticles can be used as a drug carrier for intracellular delivery of anticancer drugs [163].

      A thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), more specifically TPO‐g‐PLA was prepared

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