Nanostructured morphology of a random P(DLLA-co-CL) copolymer

The random architecture of a commercial copolymer of poly(DL-lactic acid) and poly(ε-caprolactone), poly(DL-lactide-co-caprolactone), has been characterized by chemical structure analysis from hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance results. Moreover, spherical nanodomains have been detected in the thin films of this copolymer obtained after solvent evaporation. These nanodomains studied by atomic force microscopy and transmission elecron microscopy grow progressively under annealing until they collapse and form a homogenous disordered structure. This is the first time that the nanostructure of random poly(DL-lactic acid)/poly-(ε-caprolactone) copolymers is revealed, representing one of few experimental evidences on the possible nanostructuration of random copolymers.