A structural investigation on poly(glycolic acid)

Powder X-ray diffraction patterns were recorded of the orthorhombic form of poly(glycolic acid) and the peak profiles were investigated in order to obtain the best fit with proposed structural models. The optimized unit cell parameters are in a good agreement with those reported from fibre X-ray diffraction patterns; moreover, the peak analysis allowed to evaluate the average crystallite dimensions along the three main crystallographic directions and in particular to observe a smaller size along the c axis. The R factors indicating the agreement between calculated and experimental patterns are satisfactory. © 1992