News

Congratulations to the C05 Team and colleagues: Lisa-Cathrin Leitner; Rika Schneider; Thomas Steiner; Martina H. Stenzel; Ruth Freitag; Andreas Greiner on their new research article in the journal MacroMolecular Chemistry and Physics:

"Efficient Synthesis and Wetting Characteristics of Amphiphilic Galactose –PLA Block Copolymers: A Potential Additive for the Accelerated Biodegradation of Micro- and Nanoplastics"

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202100431

Abstract: The contamination of wastewater by microplastic particles (MP) is an unresolved environmental problem. In order to resolve this problem, we have developed a concept for the microbial remediation of MP. To realize this concept degradable block copolymers are required which adhere on MP surfaces and contain segments of carbohydrate moieties (here galactose) for the attraction of degrading microbes and accelerated biofilm formation. Therefore in this study a versatile synthesis route for amphiphilic carbohydrate block copolymers from poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PLA) and galactose moieties is presented. The properties of the block copolymers were investigated by thermal analysis, as well as regarding their colloidal properties, their adhesion behaviour on MP surfaces and their potential for support of microbial growth (using Lactobacillus L. zeae).