Characterization of biodegradable polymers irradiated with swift heavy ions

SALGUERO, N.G.; DEL GROSSO, M.F.; DURÁN, H.; PERUZZO, P.J.; AMALVY, J.I.; ARBEITMAN, C.R.; GARCÍA BERMÚDEZ, G.

Itapema

Congreso; 20th IBA - International Conference on Ion Beam Analysis; 2011

There is an increasing interest in developing new methods to induce controlled cell adhesion onto polymeric materials, in view of their application as biomaterials. Thecritical step in all these methods involves the modification of the polymer surfacesbecause the interaction between the cells and polymers depends on the surface properties; these modifications should not affect the degradation and biocompatibility of biomaterials. Swift heavy ions (SHI) might be a good choice to change the polymericsuface. Two biodegradable polymers as: Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and Poly-LLactideAcid (PLLA) were irradiated using Carbon and Sulfur beams with different energies and fluences. Pristine and irradiated samples were degradated by immersion in a phosphate buffer with pH = 7.4 and characterized. The analysis after irradiation showed a decrease in the contact angle measurements and changes in their melting temperature.