Alkaline treatments to render starch-based biodegradable polymers self-mineralizable

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Surface Engineering

Background:

• Biodegradable polymers require surface modification for enhanced biocompatibility and integration.
• Developing functional surfaces is crucial for biomedical applications, especially in bone regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple wet chemistry route for surface functionalization of SEVA-C biodegradable polymers.
• To investigate the potential of functionalized SEVA-C for apatite layer formation in simulated body fluid (SBF).

Main Methods:

• Surface etching and hydrolysis of SEVA-C using calcium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide solutions.
• Immersion of functionalized SEVA-C in SBF for up to 7 days.
• Characterization of surface changes using thin-film X-ray diffraction.

Main Results:

• Alkaline treatments successfully increased polar hydroxyl and carboxylic groups on the SEVA-C surface.
• SEVA-C surfaces immersed in SBF rapidly formed spherulite particles, which grew into a dense, uniform layer.
• Thin-film X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of an apatite-like layer on the polymer surface.

Conclusions:

• The developed wet chemistry method effectively functionalizes biodegradable SEVA-C polymers.
• The functionalized surfaces promote nucleation and growth of apatite, indicating suitability for bone-related applications.
• This approach offers a promising strategy for enhancing the performance of biodegradable polymers in regenerative medicine.