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Journals / Gazi Üniversitesi Mühendislik Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 41 Sayı: 1

Synthesis and characterization of microwave-assisted ring-opening polymerization of PLA-PEG-PLA triblock copolymers in the presence of Zn(Oct)2 catalyst

Mikrodalga destekli halka-açılma polimerizasyonu ile Zn(Oct)2 katalizörü varlığında PLA-PEG-PLA üçlü-blok kopolimerlerinin sentezi

Seher Şenada Karabulut(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA, MÜHENDİSLİK FAKÜLTESİ, KİMYA MÜHENDİSLİĞİ BÖLÜMÜ)0009-0000-3548-3012
Serdar Bayyar(CHT TURKEY Kimya)0009-0001-9722-4443
Esra Okur(CHT TURKEY Kimya)0009-0006-9835-1694
Ayça Müftüler(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA, MÜHENDİSLİK FAKÜLTESİ, KİMYA MÜHENDİSLİĞİ BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0003-3183-3729
Hüseyin Deligöz(Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa)0000-0002-0915-2911
Pages
17–28
Publication Date
2026-02-19
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In this respect, the study clearly demonstrated both the advantage of the microwave system over conventional production methods and the low toxicity and high controlled chain formation potential of the Zn(Oct)2 catalyst compared to the currently used Sn(Oct)2.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA)-based triblock copolymers have attracted significant attention for biomedical and technical textile applications due to their biodegradable and biocompatible properties.
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Key Findings & Data:In this study, PLA–PEG–PLA triblock copolymers were synthesized via microwave-assisted ring-opening polymerization (mROP) in the presence of zinc octoate (Zn(Oct)2) catalyst.
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Conclusion & Impact:In this respect, the study clearly demonstrated both the advantage of the microwave system over conventional production methods and the low toxicity and high controlled chain formation potential of the Zn(Oct)2 catalyst compared to the currently used Sn(Oct)2.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Poli(L-laktik asit) · Polietilen glikol · Zn(Oct)2

Abstract

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA)-based triblock copolymers have attracted significant attention for biomedical and technical textile applications due to their biodegradable and biocompatible properties. In this study, PLA–PEG–PLA triblock copolymers were synthesized via microwave-assisted ring-opening polymerization (mROP) in the presence of zinc octoate (Zn(Oct)2) catalyst. While maintaining a constant monomer feed ratio (LA/PEG = 70:30 w/w), the effects of various Zn(Oct)2 catalyst amounts (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 3.0 and 6.0 wt%) on the structural, thermal, and physicochemical properties of the synthesized polymers were systematically investigated. Analytical techniques including FTIR, DSC, 1H NMR, GC-MS, and GPC analyses revealed that copolymers synthesized with 0.6 wt% Zn(Oct)2 exhibited the most controlled structure, characterized by a low polydispersity index (PDI) (1.54), high conversion rate (99.5%), homogeneous molecular structure (Mn = 5.642 g/mol, Mw = 8.685 g/mol), low glass transition temperature (Tg = –19.9 °C), and a distinct melting temperature (Tm = 64.3 °C). Unlike the studies reported in the literature, the present work systematically examined the effects of using different amounts of Zn(Oct)2 concentrations (0.2–6.0 wt%) on properties such as polymerization time, conversion, molecular weight distribution, and PDI in the microwave-assisted ring-opening polymerization of PLA-PEG-PLA copolymers. In this respect, the study clearly demonstrated both the advantage of the microwave system over conventional production methods and the low toxicity and high controlled chain formation potential of the Zn(Oct)2 catalyst compared to the currently used Sn(Oct)2.

Özet

Polietilen glikol (PEG) ve poli(L-laktik asit) (PLA) esaslı üçlü-blok kopolimerler, biyobozunur ve biyouyumlu özellikleri nedeniyle biyomedikal ve teknik tekstil uygulamalarında büyük ilgi görmektedir. Bu çalışmada, PLA-PEG-PLA üçlü-blok kopolimerleri mikrodalga destekli halka-açılma polimerizasyonu (mROP) yöntemi ile çinko oktoat (Zn(Oct)2) katalizörü varlığında sentezlenmiştir. Monomer besleme oranı sabit tutularak (ağırlıkça LA/PEG=70:30), farklı Zn(Oct)2 katalizör miktarlarının (ağırlıkça %0,2; %0,4; %0,6; %3 ve %6) sentezlenen polimerlerin yapısal, termal ve fizikokimyasal özellikleri üzerindeki etkileri araştırılmıştır. FTIR, DSC, 1H-NMR, GC-MS ve GPC analizleri sonucunda %0,6 oranında Zn(Oct)2 varlığında sentezlenen ürünlerin, düşük polidispersite indeksi (PDI) (1,54), yüksek dönüşüm oranı (%99,5), homojen moleküler yapı (Mn=5.642 g/mol, Mw=8.685 g/mol), düşük camsı geçiş sıcaklığı (Tg:–19,9 °C) ve erime sıcaklığı (Te:64,3°C) ile en kontrollü yapıya sahip kopolimerleri verdiğini ortaya koymuştur. Literatürde yer alan çalışmalardan farklı olarak, mikrodalga destekli halka-açılma polimerizasyonu ile PLA-PEG-PLA kopolimerlerinin sentezlenmesinde farklı miktarlarda Zn(Oct)2 (%0,2-%6,0) kullanımının sistematik olarak polimerizasyon süresi, dönüşüm, moleküler ağırlık dağılımı ve PDI gibi özellikler üzerindeki etkileri detaylı olarak incelenmiştir. Bu yönüyle çalışma, hem mikrodalga sisteminin konvensiyonel üretim yöntemleri üzerindeki avantajını, hem de Zn(Oct)2 katalizörünün mevcutta kullanılan Sn(Oct)2’a göre düşük toksisite ve yüksek kontrollü zincir oluşumu potansiyelini açıkça göstermiştir.

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Cite This Article

Karabulut, S. Ş., Bayyar, S., Okur, E., Müftüler, A., Deligöz, H. (2026). Synthesis and characterization of microwave-assisted ring-opening polymerization of PLA-PEG-PLA triblock copolymers in the presence of Zn(Oct)2 catalyst. Gazi Üniversitesi Mühendislik Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt: 41 Sayı: 1, 17–28. https://doi.org/10.17341/gazimmfd.1722242

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