title: The influence of solvent processing on polyester bioabsorbable polymers.
abstract: Solvent-based methods are commonly employed for the production of polyester-based samples and coatings in both medical device production and research. The influence of solvent casting and subsequent drying time was studied using thermal analysis, spectroscopy and weight measurement for four grades of 50 : 50 poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) produced by using chloroform, dichloromethane, and acetone. The results demonstrate that solvent choice and PLGA molecular weight are critical factors in terms of solvent removal rate and maintaining sample integrity, respectively. The protocols widely employed result in high levels of residual solvent and a new protocol is presented together with solutions to commonly encountered problems.
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology and Integrated Bioengineering Centre University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Shore Road Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Manson
authors.forename: Dorian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dixon
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013818:Thermogravimetry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D012997:Solvents; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid