title: Novel polyphosphazene/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) blends: miscibility and degradation studies.
abstract: A novel biodegradable polymer blend was developed for potential biomedical applications. A 50:50 poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLAGA) was blended in a 50:50 ratio with the followiing polyphosphazenes (PPHOS): poly[(25% ethyl glycinato)(75% p-methylphenoxy)phosphazene[, poly[(50% ethyl glycinato)(50% p-methylphenoxy)phosphazene], and poly[(75% ethyl glycinato)(25% p-methylphenoxy)phosphazene] to obtain Blends A, B, and C, respectively, using a mutual solvent technique. The miscibility of these blends was determined by measuring their glass transition temperature (Tg) using differential scanning calorimetry. After fabrication using a casting technique, the degradation of the matrices was examined. Differential scanning calorimetry showed one glass transition temperature for each blend which was between the Tg's of their respective parent polymers indicating miscibility of the blends. Surface analysis by scanning electron microscopy showed the matrices to have smooth uniform surfaces. Degradation studies showed near-zero order degradation kinetics for the blends with Blends A and B losing 10% of their mass after two weeks and Blend C degrading more rapidly (30% mass loss during the same period). These findings suggest that these novel biodegradable PLAGA/PPHOS blends may be useful for biomedical purposes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Ibim
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: El-Amin
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Allcock
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Laurencin
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; C108974:poly(phosphazene); D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid