Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogels can be mechanically reinforced by the incorporation of a hydrophobic biodegradable polyester, polycaprolactone (PCL). The influence of PHEMA on the selective degradability of PCL in the modified hydrogels was investigated by hydrolysis, biodegradation and chemical degradation. The swelling of the PHEMA compo nent in hydrophilic reagents provided hydrolytic exposure to PCL domains. In hydrophobic reagents, the PHEMA component acted as a barrier that retarded the diffusion of hydrophobic acid or base into the network.
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