Pyrolysis mechanisms of PLA

The pyrolysis mechanism of PLA is more complex than the simple reaction that gives lactide. Significant amounts of other volatile decomposition products are also generated during the pyrolysis [30-32]. The thermal degradation mechanisms of PLA have been reported by several groups (Figure 23.2) [7-10, 31-37]. 

It has been suggested that the compounds formed from the thermal degradation of PLA are predominantly formed by random main-chain scission and unzipping depolymerization reactions. The random degradation reaction involves hydrolysis, oxidative degradation, c/s-elimination, and intramolecular and intermolecular transesterification, as reported in the pyrolysis mechanism of PLA proposed in Figure 12.9. 

Figure 12.9 Pyrolysis mechanisms of PLA proposed by Haruo Nishida. ...

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