The effect of pH on the hydrolytic degradation of poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 127; no. 3; pp. 2046 - 2056
• Main Author: Loh, Xian Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 05.02.2013; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Ageing; Applied sciences; biodegradable; Biological and medical sciences; Copolymers; Degradation; diblock copolymers; Differential scanning calorimetry; Esters; Exact sciences and technology; Glycols; Mass spectroscopy; Materials science; Medical sciences; Molecular weight; Physical properties; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; Properties and testing; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology of polymers; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; biodegradable; Lactone copolymer; diblock copolymers; pH effect; degradation; Crystallinity; Chemical degradation; Ethylene oxide copolymer; Experimental study; Hydrolysis resistance; Caprolactone copolymer; Cyclic ether copolymer; Morphology; Diblock copolymer; Reaction mechanism; Artificial ageing; Biomaterial; Kinetics; Chemical properties; Aliphatic copolymer

The in‐vitro hydrolytic behavior of diblock copolymer films consisting of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was studied at pH 7.4 and pH 9.5 at 37°C. The degradation of these films was characterized at various time intervals by mass loss measurements, GPC, 1H‐NMR, DSC, FTIR,...