Aliphatic polyesters are melt mixed with bioactive fillers and converted into sheets in order to compare their degradation behavior in a phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution as a function of processing method, polymer type, and crystallinity and type of filler. The samples are tested for weight changes, pH, intrinsic viscosity (IV), and thermal and mechanical property changes as a function of time. The study establishes that although the fillers appear to enhance the polymer degradation, they also have an effect on crystallinity after several immersion periods. Intrinsic viscosity measurements show degradation in the form of molecular weight reduction even after short periods of immersion.
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2.
Tserki, V., Matzinos, P., Pavlidou, E., Vachliotis, D. and Panayiotou, C. (2006). Biodegradable Aliphatic Polyesters. Part I. Properties and Biodegradation of Poly(butylenes succinate-co-butylene adipate), Polymer Degradation and Stability, 91(2): 367—376.
3.
Tserki, V., Matzinos, P., Pavlidou, E. and Panayiotou, C. (2006). Biodegradable Aliphatic Polyesters. Part II. Synthesis and Characterization of Chain Extended Poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate), Polymer Degradation and Stability, 91(2): 377—384.
4.
Xu, X.-J. , Sy, J.C. and Shastri, V.P. (2006). Towards Developing Surface Eroding Poly(α-hydroxy acids), Biomaterials, 27(15): 3021—3030.
5.
Qian, Z., Li, S., He, Y., Zhang, H. and Liu, X. (2004). Hydrolytic Degradation Study of Biodegradable Polyesteramide Copolymers Based on ε-Caprolactone and 11-aminoundecanoic Acid, Biomaterials, 25(11): 1975—1981.
6.
Mano, J.F., Sousa, R.A., Boesel, L.F., Neves, N.M. and Reis, R.L. (2004). Bioinert, Biodegradable and Injectable Matrix Composites for Hard Tissue Replacement: State of the Art and Recent Developments , Composite Science and Technology, 64(6): 789—817.
7.
Sarasua, J.R. , Arraiza, A.L., Balerdi, P. and Maiza, A. (2005). Crystallinity and Mechanical Properties of Optically Pure Polylactides and Their Blends, Polymer Engineering and Science, 45(5): 745—753.
8.
Paul, M.A., Delcourt, C., Alexandre, M., Degee, P., Monteverde, F. and Dubois, P. (2005). Polylactide/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites: Study of the Hydrolytic Degradation, Polymer Degradation and Stability , 87(3): 535—542.
9.
Renouf-Glauser, A.C., Rose, J., Farrar, D.F. and Cameron, R.E. (2005). The Effect of Crystallinity on the Deformation Mechanism and Bulk Mechanical Properties of PLLA, Biomaterials, 26(29): 5771—5782.
10.
Proikakis, C.S., Mamouzelos, N.J., Tarantili, P.A. and Andreopoulos , A.G. (2006). Swelling and Hydrolytic Degradation of Poly(D,L-lactic acid) in Aqueous Solutions , Polymer Degradation and Stability, 91(3): 614—619.
11.
Chen, C.-C. , Chueh, J.-Y., Tseng, H., Huang, H.-M. and Lee, S.-Y. (2003). Preparation and Characterization of Biodegradable PLA Polymeric Blends, Biomaterials, 24(7): 1167—1173.
12.
Xanthos, M. , Young, M.-Y., Karayannidis , G.P. and Bikiaris, D.N. (2001). Reactive Modification of Polyethylene Terephthalate with Polyepoxides, Polymer Engineering and Science, 41(4): 643—655.
13.
Xanthos, M. , Yilmazer, U., Dey, S.K. and Quintans, J. (2000). Melt Viscoelasticity of Polyethylene Teraphthalate Resins for Low Density Extrusion Foaming, Polymer Engineering and Science, 40(3): 554—566.
14.
Shinoda, H. , Asou, Y., Kashima, T., Kato, T., Tseng, Y. and Yagi, T. (2003). Amphiphilic Biodegradable Copolymer, Poly(aspartic acid-co-lactide): Acceleration of Degradation Rate and Improvement of Thermal Stability for Poly(lactic acid), Poly(butylenes succinate) and Poly(caprolactone), Polymer Degradation and Stability, 80(2): 241—250.
15.
Seretoudi, G., Bikiaris, D. and Panayiotou, C. (2002). Synthesis, Characterization and Biodegradability of Poly(ethylene succinate)/poly (ε-caprolactone Block Copolymers, Polymer, 43(20): 5404—5415.
