Abstract

The blends of synthetic and natural polymers are extensively investigated as materials for medical applications. Synthetic component usually ensures appropriate mechanical and physical properties while biopolymer improves biocompatibility of the material. In our work, we decided to use poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)—water-soluble, chemically stable, elastic polymer and elastin—a fibrous protein present in the extracellular matrix of connective tissues. The aim of our work was to study the influence of UV light on spectroscopic properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/elastin hydrolysates blends. PVA is a rather photostable polymer while elastin possesses various chromophores in the structure capable of absorption of light λ > 200 nm. As a result of the blending, some interactions between the synthetic and biological components occur and cause the changes of photochemical stability of the new material. Our study demonstrates that the poly(vinyl alcohol)/elastin mixtures are more sensitive to UV irradiation than both components separately.

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