COLLAGEN-BASED HYBRID POLYMER NETWORKS

Abstract

A series of biodegradable polymeric scaffolds was prepared by using a combination of natural (collagen, hyaluronic acid) and synthetic polymers ( poly(ε-caprolactone)) in various compositions. Short-range and long-range crosslinking, physical and chemical crosslinking methods were both applied, including UV irradiation, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide/N-hydroxy-succinimide system, sylanols and a bifunctional poly(ε-caprolactone) derivative. In order to evaluate the crosslinking efficiency the resulted porous sponges or membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermal analysis (DSC), measurements of the relative permittivity ε’ and of the dielectric loss ε” over a large frequency and temperature range. The morphology and swelling behavior of the products were studied evidencing formulation/preparation procedure-related differences.