Hierarchically structured polyglycolide - a biomaterial mimicking natural bone

Polyglycolide (poly(hydroxyacetic acid)) with wide variability of pore size can be prepared by combination of a solid-state polymerization reaction an d addition of sodium chloride crystals. The solid state reaction leads to a composite of polyglycolide and NaCl. The latter can be washed out with wat er leaving behind porous polyglycolide with interconnected pores in the mic rometer range. To achieve a higher porosity and to induce larger pores, add itional coarse sodium chloride was added before polymerization. This opens a way to functionally graded polyglycolide resembling natural bone that sho uld have a potential as bone substituting material.