Abstract
The purpose of the work was to emphasize the main differences and similarities in the degradation mechanisms in the case of polymeric coatings compared with the bulk ones. Combined with the current background, this work reviews the properties of commonly utilized degradable polymers in drug delivery, the factors affecting degradation mechanism, testing methods while offering a retrospective on the evolution of the controlled release of biodegradable polymeric coatings. A literature survey on stability and degradation of different polymeric coatings, which were thoroughly evaluated by different techniques, e.g., polymer mass loss measurements, surface, structural and chemical analysis, was completed. Moreover, we analyzed some shortcomings of the degradation behavior of biopolymers in form of coatings and briefly proposed some solving directions to the main existing problems (e.g., improving measuring techniques resolution, elucidation of complete mathematical analysis of the different degradation mechanisms). Deep studies are still necessary on the dynamic changes which occur to biodegradable polymeric coatings which can help to envisage the future performance of synthesized films designed to be used as medical devices with application in drug delivery.
Highlights
It is well known that biomaterials interact with biological systems through their surfaces [2,3] and so that it is of great importance to control or tune the surface properties of medical devices (MD), helping them to safely and integrate into the host tissues [4]
Able while the synthetic ones and their blends do not degrade completely [5]. Both are Depending on their chemical polymers degradation can take place pa subdivided into different classes based composition, on the main linkages present in their structure
In vitro degradation behavior can be evaluated by mass loss measurements of weight changes of the sample at different time intervals
Summary
Taking into account that biodegradation process and degradable polymers are defined in a variety of ways in the literature, it is fully justified the need of a short section regarding the used terminology. The term thin films refer to layers of material ranging from nanometers several micrometers in thickness There is another difference to be highlighted between thick and a thin film. How. term thinbetween films referthin to layers of material fromtheir nanometers ever, the realthe difference and thick films,ranging more than relativetothicknes several micrometers in thickness. Term thinbetween films referthin to layers of material fromtheir nanometers ever, the realthe difference and thick films,ranging more than relativetothicknes several micrometers in thickness There is another difference to be highlighted between a is the way in which they are synthetized [33]. Polymers present different degradation rates within the organism and their stand the degradation mechanisms in order to be able to define or guarantee either th selection can be tailored to achieve the desired release rates or bioresorption behavior. Whatever the application or the desired degradation kinetics, it is essential to understand the degradation mechanisms in order to be able to define or guarantee either the
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