Biodegradable PEO/PLA block copolymers

Daniel Cohn*, Hani Younes

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

240 Scopus citations

Abstract

Poly(ether ester) block copolymers based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polylactic acid (PLA) segments were synthesized and characterized, with the aim of developing a new family of bioabsorbable polymers. The materials developed were tailored to meet various mechanical and degradation requirements, and overcome the limitations of the few existing biodegradable polymers. The copolymeric matrices were characterized by means of infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The composition of the copolymers synthesized varied between 20 and 84 mol% lactic acid, with PEO chains in the 600–6000 molecular weight range. The solubility properties of the copolymers in a series of organic solvents are described. The equilibrium water content and the water contact angle of various matrices were determined and related to their composition and structure. The incorporation of PEO into the chain yielded highly hydrophilic materials, with equilibrium water contents higher than 60%. Stress/strain curves are presented.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)993-1009
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research
Volume22
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1988

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