The review paper by our group entitled '' Poly(lactic Acid): A Versatile Biobased Polymer for the Future with Multifunctional Properties—From Monomer Synthesis, Polymerization Techniques and Molecular Weight Increase to PLA Applications'' is currently in the 4th place of the most cited papers in the past 2 years of Polymers Journal (IF:4.967) published online by MDPI, having being cited in 174 scientific works and viewed over than 30000 times.
In brief, this review is an inclusive overview of the current research of lactic acid and lactide dimer techniques along with the production of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) from its monomers. Melt polycondensation as well as ring opening polymerization techniques are discussed, and the effect of various catalysts and polymerization conditions is thoroughly presented. Reaction mechanisms are also reviewed. However, due to the competitive decomposition reactions, in the most cases low or medium molecular weight (MW) of PLA, not exceeding 20,000–50,000 g/mol, are prepared. Lastly, numerous practical applications of PLA in various fields of industry, technical challenges and limitations regarding the use of PLA as well as its future perspectives are also reported in this paper.
Figure 1. The graphical abstract of the review representing the life-cycle of PLA.