Jo. Seidel et al., EROSION OF POLY(ANHYDRIDE-CO-IMIDES) - A PRELIMINARY MECHANISTIC STUDY, Journal of applied polymer science, 62(8), 1996, pp. 1277-1283
A new class of biodegradable polymers that show promising characterist
ics for orthopedic applications was investigated. This study examines
aspects underlying the polymer erosion of itylimidoglycine-co-1,6-bis(
carboxyphenoxy)hexane] and tylimidoalanine-co-1,6-bis(carboxyphenoxy)h
exane]. Copolymer degradation was studied by examining the anhydride b
ond hydrolysis and copolymer composition by IR and NMR spectroscopy. H
ydrolysis of the anhydride bonds occurred much faster than did the dis
solution of the hydrolyzed products, leading to the formation of two d
istinct erosion zones. The two erosion zones were observed by light an
d scanning electron microscopy with erosion originating at the surface
and moving to the center of the polymer samples. (C) 1996 John Wiley
& Sons, Inc.