A novel PLA/PBAu block copolymer was synthesized by using the hydroxyl terminated poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butyl acrylate urea) (PBAu) as prepolymer and the hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) as chain extender. To determine the optimum synthesis condition for the chain extension

the effects of the amount of chain extender

the chain extension temperature and the amount of catalyst on the PLA/PBAu block copolymer molecular weight were studied. The structure and properties of the films were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance

gel permeation chromatograph

differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the PLA/PBAu block copolymer was successfully synthesized

and the molecular weight of the copolymer can reach to 105 with glass transition temperature of 41℃. The crystallization of copolymer films increased with the increase of PBAu content. The accelerated degradation experiment of block copolymers was studied with NaOH solution as the degradation solution. The results showed the degradation rate of copolymer can be significantly improved when the content of PBAu was 30%. The degradation rate of block copolymer could be controlled by adjusting the content of PLA and PBAu prepolymer.