Efficient Synthesis and Wetting Characteristics of Amphiphilic Galactose-PLA Block Copolymers : A Potential Additive for the Accelerated Biodegradation of Micro‐ and Nanoplastics

Title data

Leitner, Lisa-Cathrin ; Schneider, Rika ; Steiner, Thomas ; Stenzel, Martina H. ; Freitag, Ruth ; Greiner, Andreas:
Efficient Synthesis and Wetting Characteristics of Amphiphilic Galactose-PLA Block Copolymers : A Potential Additive for the Accelerated Biodegradation of Micro‐ and Nanoplastics.
In: Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics. (8 March 2022) . - No. 2100431.
ISSN 1521-3935
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202100431

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Abstract in another language

The contamination of wastewater by microplastic particles (MPs) is anunresolved environmental problem. In order to resolve this problem, aconcept is developed for the microbial remediation of MPs. To realize thisconcept, degradable block copolymers are required, which adhere on MPsurfaces and contain segments of carbohydrate moieties (here galactose) forthe attraction of degrading microbes and accelerated biofilm formation.Therefore, in this study, a versatile synthesis route for amphiphiliccarbohydrate block copolymers from poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PLA) and galactosemoieties is presented. The properties of the block copolymers are investigatedby thermal analysis, as well as regarding their colloidal properties, theiradhesion behavior on MP surfaces, and their potential for support ofmicrobial growth (usingLacticaseibacillus zeae).