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The mechanisms of oxidative degradation of biomedical polymers by free radicals
Author(s) -
Ali S. A. M.,
Doherty P. J.,
Williams D. F.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1994.070510805
Subject(s) - radical , polymer , hydrogen peroxide , chemistry , polymer degradation , degradation (telecommunications) , biocompatibility , photochemistry , oxygen , superoxide , kinetics , free radical theory of aging , peroxide , polymer chemistry , organic chemistry , combinatorial chemistry , enzyme , telecommunications , physics , quantum mechanics , computer science
Degradation is an essential factor in polymer biocompatibility. The physiological environment of the human body can be aggressive to polymers. Most implanted polymers suffer degradation and the kinetics and mechanisms of the processes can be significantly affected by various biologically active species, especially enzymes, lipids, peroxides, free radicals, and phagocytic cells. Iron enhances the toxicity of oxygen free radicals. Superoxide and hydrogen peroxide can interact to form the very toxic hydroxyl radical in the presence of iron. The data have shown that the hydroxyl radical is likely to be one of the main causes of polymer degradation in implantable devices. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.