Multifunctional Properties of Polylactic Acid (PLA)

PLA is an aliphatic polyester produced using a variety of polymerization techniques such as ring-opening polymerization, solid phase polymerization, polycondensation, and azeotropic dehydration condensation. The degradation products of PLA are usually water and carbon dioxide, which are non-toxic and non-carcinogenic to humans. PLA has attracted widespread attention due to its excellent biodegradability, bioabsorbability, biocompatibility, and non-toxic properties. People use PLA for drug delivery, orthopedic fixation devices, surgical sutures, dental implants, or scaffolds for engineering damaged tissues. CD BioGlyco proudly launches PLA-based glycol nanohydrogel production services combining cutting-edge technology and innovative processes to provide clients with the best quality products and solutions.

Fig.1 Sources and applications of PLA. (Balla, et al., 2021)

Leading the Future with PLA-based Glycol Nanohydrogels!

We have developed the GlycoNano™ Platform and provide clients with production services such as Glyconanoparticle, Glycol Nanohydrogel, Glycol Nanorod, etc. Hydrogels are cross-linked polymer networks that absorb or release water in response to stimuli, are easy for cells to attach, and are reshaped into complex structures. Hydrogels carry small amounts of drugs, proteins, and other required ingredients for medical and other purposes, and have a wide range of uses in biomedicine and other fields.

We provide clients with high-quality PLA-based glycol nanohydrogel production services. After detailed communication with clients, we understand their needs and application scenarios and customize the most suitable development plan. Then we select raw materials such as PLA and ethylene glycol to ensure the purity and quality of the materials. According to the characteristics of the product, the most suitable synthesis technology is selected to prepare the nanohydrogel to ensure the stability of its performance. The purification, structure, and physical and chemical properties of the produced products are characterized and tested. Common development technologies include but are not limited to:

Chemical Cross-linking

• Cross-linking via free radical polymerization: It is a four-step polymerization technique that initiates the polymerization process through the presence of free radicals. In hydrogel production, free radical polymerization allows for a controlled cross-linking process, resulting in a network that is both stable and flexible. For example, dextrin is cross-linked with PLA chains through free radical polymerization using potassium persulfate as an initiator.
• Cross-linking with chemical cross-linkers: The hydrophobic PLA is chemically cross-linked with the hydrophilic polymer using chemical cross-linking agents to produce PLA-based glycol nanohydrogels. The process involves the introduction of specific chemical agents that form covalent bonds between polymer chains, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), lithium diisopropylamide (LDA), and N,N-methylenebisacrylamide.
• Cross-linking via photo-polymerization: Use liquid monomers or macromolecular monomers as initiators under ultraviolet or visible light to produce hydrogels, such as PLA-PEO-PLA hydrogel. The advantages of photopolymerization are fast curing rate, low heat generation, and sequential control of polymerization.
• Cross-linking by graft polymerization: Graft polymerization, the formation of side chains on a preformed polymer backbone, provides an effective method for crosslinking PLA-based ethylene glycol nanohydrogels. This process enhances the hydrophilicity and functionality of the base polymer, allowing the incorporation of a variety of functional groups that tune the hydrogel properties.

Physical Cross-linking

• Hydrophobic interactions: By utilizing the unique hydrophobic properties of PLA and controlling the arrangement of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts between polymer chains, the self-assembly of the gel structure is achieved, thereby forming a nano-hydrogel with specific properties. This method is simple and does not require chemical cross-linking agents, making it suitable for applications that require high biocompatibility and low toxicity.
• Cross-linking by ionic interaction: Introducing charged groups into the polymer network to form ionic bonds with ionic species, thereby stabilizing the gel structure. This cross-linking approach enhances the mechanical strength and stability of the hydrogel while allowing precise control of the gel's swelling and sensing properties.
• Hydrogen bonding: Hydrogen bonding technology is a method used to achieve flexible connection of polymer chains in the production of PLA-based ethylene glycol nanohydrogels. The formation of hydrogen bonds increases the stability of the gel network structure, allowing the produced hydrogel to maintain its structural integrity under physiological conditions.
• Stereo-complex formation: The interaction between different stereochemical structures is used to produce PLA-based glycol nanohydrogels. The composites formed in this way have excellent thermal stability and mechanical strength.

Workflow

Applications

• PLA-based glycol nanohydrogel is used in drug delivery systems to achieve precise control of drug release. Due to the high specific surface area of the nanoparticles, nanohydrogels load higher concentrations of drugs and achieve sustained release of drugs by adjusting their cross-linking degree and degradation rate.
• PLA-based glycol nanohydrogel is used to develop effective wound dressing materials. Its excellent hygroscopic properties help maintain a moist environment in the wound and promote the growth of new tissues and cell migration.
• PLA-based glycol nanohydrogel is used in the field of tissue engineering. The porosity of its structure promotes the exchange of nutrients and metabolic wastes and supports cell attachment and proliferation.

Advantages

• The use of advanced physical and chemical cross-linking technologies such as free radical polymerization, chemical cross-linking agents, photopolymerization, and graft polymerization ensures that the produced nanohydrogels have superior physical and chemical properties.
• Our team is composed of experienced experts in the industry with deep knowledge of materials science and bioengineering, ensuring that every innovative step has a scientific basis and technical support.
• We help clients develop hydrogels for multiple application scenarios such as drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering, providing strong support for the success of clients' projects.

Publication Data

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the advantages of PLA-based glycol nanohydrogels compared to traditional hydrogels?
  PLA-based glycol nanohydrogels not only have better permeability and biodegradability than traditional hydrogels but also provide more precise drug release control and stronger mechanical strength.
• What types of drugs can PLA-based glycol nanohydrogels load?
  PLA-based glycol nanohydrogels load a variety of drugs such as small molecule drugs, protein and peptide drugs, nucleic acid drugs (such as DNA and RNA), and some biomacromolecules. These drugs are more effectively delivered and slowly released with the help of hydrogels, improving the therapeutic effect.

With a professional team and advanced technology, CD BioGlyco provides reliable support for PLA-based glycol nanohydrogel production. If you have any needs or questions, please feel free to contact us.