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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Preparation and characterization of poly (L-lactic acid) and poly(ethylene oxide) blends

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Author(s):
R.A. Zoppi [1] ; E.A.R. Duek [2] ; D.C. Coraça [3] ; P.P. Barros [4]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Pontifícia Universidade Católica Campinas. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Química - Brasil
[2] Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica - Brasil
[3] Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Instituto de Biologia - Brasil
[4] Pontifícia Universidade Católica Campinas. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Química - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: MATERIALS RESEARCH-IBERO-AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MATERIALS; v. 4, n. 2, p. 117-125, 2001-00-00.
Abstract

Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blends were prepared by mechanical mixture and fusion of homopolymers. Samples were submitted to in vitro degradation tests (immersion in a phosphate buffer solution with pH = 7.4 at 37 °C). Independently of the blend composition, PEO was dissolved after 14 days of immersion. As expected, after immersion, scanning electron microscopy showed that the blends were porous, contrary to the samples, which were not immersed in the buffer solution. Phase separation was not evident. Using differential scanning calorimetry, the melting points (Tm) of both PLLA and PEO crystalline fractions were observed and remained practically constant, indicating no miscibility. Thermogravimetry showed that the temperature where the main mass loss stage starts (Tonset), depended on the blend composition and period of immersion in the buffer. The blends and the PLLA homopolymer were implanted in defects produced in the tibias of rats. The blends were as biocompatible as the PLLA. (AU)