Polylactide/poly(vinyl monomer) block copolymers for specific applications

In recent years, there has been continuous growth in the market for polylactide/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) which can be attributed to the increasing preference for environmentally friendly products derived from renewable resources. Apart from its established biomedical applications, polylactide is being considered as a replacement for petroleum-based polymers in various industries, including packaging, electronics, automotive, and textiles. However, PLA modification is necessary to meet the properties of common thermoplastics for target applications. One of the modification methods involves the synthesis of PLA block copolymers, including widely exploited polymers of vinyl monomers (PVM). This review article covers a wide range of applications suggested for PLA/PVM block copolymers as discussed in recent articles. A brief overview of the synthesis methods for PLA/PVM block copolymers is provided. The tendency of block copolymers to self-assemble, leading to specific morphologies, is discussed, and applications that take advantage of this behavior, such as polymeric micelles or porous materials, are highlighted. Examples of using micelles for the delivery of biologically active compounds are presented. Other biomedical applications, such as materials for tissue engineering and medical devices, are also discussed. Finally, the article covers materials for common plastic applications obtained through reactive blending/extrusion, which produces PLA/PVM copolymers in situ.