DEHYDRO-THERMALLY CROSS-LINKED COLLAGEN-POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL) BLENDS - MECHANICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND SURFACE-PROPERTIES

The mechanical, biological and surface properties of films, based on b lends of soluble collagen and poly(vinyl alcohol), were investigated. Films prepared by casting were cross-linked by a dehydro-thermal treat ment. The mechanical behaviour of the materials was studied by dynamic -mechanical thermal analysis. The biological properties of the films w ere evaluated by performing cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility in vitr o tests. Surface characterization was carried out by X-ray electron sp ectroscopy. The results obtained indicate that these materials behave as two-phase systems and a remarkable enrichment of collagen in the su rface with respect to the bulk was observed. Cytocompatibility tests s how that the blending of the two polymers creates a better substrate f or cell growth in comparison with pure components.