title: Matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation of poly(D,L-lactide) for biomedical applications: effect of near infrared radiation.
abstract: The deposition of thin films of poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) by using the matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique is investigated. PDLLA is a highly biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, with wide applicability in the biomedical field. The laser wavelength used in the MAPLE process is optimized to obtain a good-quality deposition. The structure of the polymer film is analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It is found that the chemical structure of PDLLA undergoes little or no damage during deposition with near-infrared laser radiation (1064 nm). It is thus confirmed that at this wavelength, the MAPLE technique can be applied for fragile biopolymer molecules, which are easily damaged by other laser radiations (UV radiation). This method allows future development of tailored polymer coatings for biomedical applications.
authors.affiliation: Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, Facoltà di Ingegneria, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy. valeriacalifano@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Califano
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bloisi
authors.forename: Luciano R M
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Vicari
authors.forename: Oana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bretcanu
authors.forename: Aldo R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Boccaccini
mesh_terms: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D007259:Infrared Rays; D007834:Lasers; D008422:Materials Testing; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005740:Gases; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)