Comparative degradation study of surface-modified polyacrylamide/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) membranes

Hydrophilic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)-based composites have been prepared aiming at extending in vivo application. Polyacrylamide was introduced into poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) membranes via a surface-initiated polymerization, forming a semi-interpenetratinglike polymer networks that was surface-modified by Hofmann degradation reaction to obtain the amine-contained poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate). The resulted amine groups were further reacted with collagen through formaldehyde. The swelling properties as well as thermal decomposition of the synthesized composites were studied. The composites were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline for up to 360 days and their weight-loss was determined.