IN-SITU ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY IMAGING OF POLYMER DEGRADATION IN AN AQUEOUS ENVIRONMENT

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been employed for the in situ study of the hydrolytic surface erosion of biodegradable polymers within an aqueous environment. These AFM studies reveal the surface polymer morp hology to a resolution comparable to vacuum based scanning electron mi croscopy and demonstrate the influence of a variety of factors includi ng polymer crystallinity and the pH of the aqueous environment on the kinetics of the degradation of bioerodible polymers and their polymer blends. We suggest that this approach can make a substantial contribut ion to our understanding of polymer degradation within an aqueous envi ronment and will have a major impact on the design of novel bioerodibl e polymers for exploitation in the medical field.