POS9-1232
Synthesis of high-performance fluoroalkyl-centered biodegradable polymers with outstanding transparency and mechanical properties
Topic
S9. Polymer Technology for Sustainability
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Heesuk KIM
Jinhye BAE
Presenter(s)
Hyebhin Yoon (Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Biodegradable polymers have garnered considerable attention as promising alternatives to non-degradable polymers due to severe environmental pollution. However, various biodegradable polymers suffer from their inherent limitations, including hydrophilicity and poor mechanical properties. Especially, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) shows severe brittleness and opacity due to its high crystallinity. Despite the advantages of PLA, such as biocompatibility and sustainability, these limitations restrict the application of PLA. To address this issue, the fluoroalkyl-centered biodegradable polymers, featuring excellent mechanical properties, outstanding transparency, and efficiently decreased surface energy were synthesized by disrupting the inherent PLA crystallinity with fluoroalkyl groups. As a result, a representative fluoroalkyl-centered biodegradable polymer showed a decreased surface free energy, a high optical transmittance of 97.3% at a wavelength of 600 nm, and a high elongation at break of 157.7%. Interestingly, the fluorinated biodegradable polymer maintained its transparency under high humidity because the incorporated fluoroalkyl groups prevented water penetration. In addition, the polymer was degraded over 90% within 2 weeks without any cytotoxicity or phytotoxicity. This development offers considerable potential for further advancements in the high-performance biodegradable polymer industry, reaching a sustainable green future.
