Work

Evaluating polymeric biomaterial–environment interfaces by Langmuir monolayer techniques

Year: 2017

Type: review

Abstract: Polymeric biomaterials are of specific relevance in medical and pharmaceutical applications due to their wide range of tailorable properties and functionalities. The knowledge about interactions of biomaterials with their biological environment is of crucial importance for developing highly sophisticated medical devices. To achieve optimal in vivo performance, a description at the molecular level is required to gain better understanding about the surface of synthetic materials for tailoring their properties. This is still challenging and requires the comprehensive characterization of morphological structures, polymer chain arrangements and degradation behaviour. The review discusses selected aspects for evaluating polymeric biomaterial–environment interfaces by Langmuir monolayer methods as powerful techniques for studying interfacial properties, such as morphological and degradation processes. The combination of spectroscopic, microscopic and scattering methods with the Langmuir techniques adapted to polymers can substantially improve the understanding of their in vivo behaviour.

Source: Journal of The Royal Society Interface

DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2016.1028

Authors: Anne-Christin Schöne, Toralf Roch, Burkhard Schulz, Andreas Lendlein

Institutions: University of Potsdam, Berlin-Brandenburger Centrum für Regenerative Therapien, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon

Language: English

Topic: Polymer Surface Interaction Studies

Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft

Award: G7337820484