Good Biodegradable Properties Research Articles

Chitosan Ternary Bio Nanocomposite Films Incorporated with MMT K10 Nanoclay and Spirulina

It is enviable to develop an environment-friendly packaging material against petroleum-based polymers with enhanced functionality to satisfy sustainable development and to secure and extend the shelf life of food. In this work, biopolymer chitosan was mixed with montmorillonite (MMT K10) nanoclay and spirulina algae to produce a bio nanocomposite film with high strength and barrier properties. Spirulina and MMT K10 was initially incorporated into chitosan to fabricate the chitosan/MMT K10/spirulina bio nanocomposite and the intermolecular interactions between the chitosan, MMT K10 and spirulina was improved by the synergistic effect of covalent and hydrogen bonds. The surface colour and opacity of chitosan bio nanocomposite films were found to be increased by the inclusion of MMT K10 and spirulina. The bio nanocomposite films exhibited good solubility and swelling property. The chitosan bio nanocomposite film with 0.5 g of spirulina revealed the promising features such as high tensile strength of 46.3 MPa, low oxygen and watervapour transmission rate of 996.79 cc/(m2. day.atm) and 7.12 g/m2/day which was better than other various concentration of spirulina based films. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties of bio nanocomposite films were determined by colony count method and the results suggested the films had excellent antimicrobial properties against both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms and the composite films showed the good biodegradable property. The fabricated chitosan-based MMT K10 and spirulina incorporated bio nanocomposite films could make valuable contributions in active food packaging applications due to its excellent properties.

Maximizing PHB content in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803: a new metabolic engineering strategy based on the regulator PirC

BackgroundPHB (poly-hydroxy-butyrate) represents a promising bioplastic alternative with good biodegradation properties. Furthermore, PHB can be produced in a completely carbon–neutral fashion in the natural producer cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. This strain has been used as model system in past attempts to boost the intracellular production of PHB above ~ 15% per cell-dry-weight (CDW).ResultsWe have created a new strain that lacks the regulatory protein PirC (product of sll0944), which exhibits a higher activity of the phosphoglycerate mutase resulting in increased PHB pools under nutrient limiting conditions. To further improve the intracellular PHB content, two genes involved in PHB metabolism, phaA and phaB, from the known producer strain Cupriavidus necator, were introduced under the control of the strong promotor PpsbA2. The resulting strain, termed PPT1 (ΔpirC-REphaAB), produced high amounts of PHB under continuous light as well under a day-night regime. When grown in nitrogen and phosphorus depleted medium, the cells produced up to 63% per CDW. Upon the addition of acetate, the content was further increased to 81% per CDW. The produced polymer consists of pure PHB, which is highly isotactic.ConclusionThe amounts of PHB achieved with PPT1 are the highest ever reported in any known cyanobacterium and demonstrate the potential of cyanobacteria for a sustainable, industrial production of PHB.

Starch-sandstone materials in the construction industry

The recent literature on construction research indicates that building materials made from renewable sources are sustainable concrete alternatives that use natural polymers instead of traditional cement, with good mechanical and biodegradable properties. One of the main objectives of this preliminary study is to validate the feasibility and accuracy of a novel technique for the preparation of sandstone building materials that use gelatinized starch as a binder and sand as filler. Different methods of treatment were then applied using conventional and natural coating materials to increase the hydrophobicity of such construction materials in order to achieve the desired durability properties for industrial applications. Based on the classification schemes for all types of civil engineering materials, the test results revealed that these artificial starch-based sandstones behave as polymer - matrix composites with thermoplastic mechanical behavior, however as the starch to sand ratio gets smaller, the plastic zone reduces and the fracture becomes more brittle.

Effect of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the Micro-Hardness and Corrosion Behaviour Mg-Zn Alloy Prepared by Powder Metallurgy

Magnesium Alloys have the potential to be applied in the various fields of applications including biomaterials. Magnesium Alloys are an interesting alloy due to its high strength to density ratio. They have been proposed as a biodegradable implant material due to its friendly effect to human body compared to another alloy. Besides its good biodegradable properties, it has a disadvantage of low hardness and corrosion properties. In order to overcome this, it has been combined with other metals such as Zinc (Zn) or Copper (Cu). To increase mechanical properties, we used Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) as reinforcement. Magnesium-Zinc (Mg-xZn) CNTs composites with several compositions was prepared by using powder metallurgy and sintered in the presence of flowing Argon (Ar) gas in tube furnace. Mg-Zn Alloy with the composition of 4% and 6% of Zn and the variation of CNTs at 0.1%, 0.3 %, and 0.5% was also prepared. Hardness testing by using microvickers showed that CNTs can increase the alloy hardness which the maximum hardness is 53.6 HV. The corrosion rates as low as 175.5 mpy exhibited for the Mg-Alloy with the composition of Mg-4-Zn with 0.1 wt.% of CNTs

Sr-HA scaffolds fabricated by SPS technology promote the repair of segmental bone defects

BackgroundIdeal bone defect repair scaffolds should be biodegradable, biocompatible, bioactive, porous, and provide adequate mechanical support. However, it is challenging to fabricate such an ideal bone repair scaffold. Previously, we showed that 5 wt.% strontium-doped hydroxyapatite (Sr-HA) scaffolds prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) technology exhibited good biocompatibility. Moreover, unlike pure hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds, HA scaffolds containing strontium (Sr) exhibited superior bioactivity, higher proliferation rate of BMSCs and MG-63 osteoblast cells, as well as enhanced BMSCs differentiation. MethodsIn this study, we prepared pure HA scaffolds and 5 wt.% strontium containing Sr-HA scaffolds by SPS technology without adhesive, ammonium bicarbonate as pore former. Subsequently, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the properties of Sr-HA and HA scaffolds. The ability of the scaffolds to repair bone defects was evaluated using a critical-sized rabbit tibia-bone defect rabbit model. Thirty 3-month-old New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (blank control group, Sr-HA scaffolds implanted group and HA scaffolds implanted group) with 10 rabbits in each group. These rabbits are sacrificed after 8 weeks and 16 weeks of surgery, and the repair effects of each scaffold were evaluated with X-ray, micro-CT, and HE staining. The three-point bending test was employed to assess the mechanical property of repaired bones. ResultsXRD pattern indicated that Sr-HA and HA scaffolds possess a similar crystal structure after sintering, and that incorporation of strontium did not form impure phase. SEM showed that the porosity of Sr-HA and HA scaffolds was about 40 %. Universal Testing Machine tests showed that Sr-HA scaffolds had better compressive strength than HA scaffolds. Bone defect was obvious, and the fibrous tissue was formed in the bone defects of rabbits in the blank control group after 8 weeks of surgery. Sr-HA and HA scaffolds enhanced osteointegration of the host bone, and extensive woven bone was formed on the surface of the Sr-HA scaffolds. After 16 weeks, the bone strump became blunt and a small amount of callus was formed in the blank control group. Comparatively, the scaffolds were substantially degraded in the Sr-HA scaffolds implanted group while scaffolds shadows still were observed in the HA implanted group. Bone remodeling and cavity recanalization were completely developed in the Sr-HA scaffolds group. The compressive strength of repaired bone in the Sr-HA scaffolds implantation group was higher than that of HA scaffolds implantation group after 8 weeks and 16 weeks of surgery. ConclusionsOur results show that the Sr-HA composite scaffolds can effectively repair bone defects and have good biodegradable properties.

The application of BMP-12-overexpressing mesenchymal stem cells loaded 3D-printed PLGA scaffolds in rabbit rotator cuff repair

This study investigates if the application of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) loaded 3D-printed scaffolds could improve rotator cuff repair. The polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds were fabricated by 3D print technology. Rabbit BM-MSCs were transfected with a recombinant adenovirus encoding bone morphogenic protein 12 (BMP-12). The effect of BM-MSCs loaded PLGA scaffolds on tendon-bone healing was assessed by biomechanical testing and histological analysis in a rabbit rotator cuff repair model. We found that the PLGA scaffolds had good biocompatible and biodegradable property. Overexpression of BMP-12 increased the mRNA and protein expression of tenogenic genes in BM-MSCs cultured with DMEM medium and seeded in PLGA scaffolds. When BMP-12-overexpressing BM-MSCs-loaded PLGA scaffolds were implanted into the injured rabbit supraspinatus tendon-bone junctions, the tendon-bone healing was improved. Our results suggest that application of BMP-12 overexpressing BM-MSCs loaded 3D-printed PLGA scaffolds promote the healing of tendon-bone interface, improve collagen organization and increase fibrocartilage in the rabbit rotor cuff repair. Rotator cuff regeneration achieved by BMP-12-overexpressing BM-MSCs-loaded PLGA scaffolds may represent a novel approach for the management of rotator cuff defect.

The effect of PLGA-based hydrogel scaffold for improving the drug maximum-tolerated dose for in situ osteosarcoma treatment.

Although hydrogel-based therapeutic agents have shown great potential for localized cancer treatments, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of these methods remains uncertain. To confirm this, doxorubicin (DOX) loaded PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel was employed to investigate the MTD of DOX for localized osteosarcoma treatment. This hydrogel showed good injectable and biodegradable properties in vivo. And the drug remaining time was also obviously prolonged in the tumor site. Different doses of DOX (5.0, 15, 30 mg/kg) with/without hydrogel were adopted to the treatment of tumor-bearing mice. Despite both localized administrations of 5.0 mg/kg DOX showing no obvious systemic toxicity, this dose failed to control the persistent growth of tumors or prolong the survival time in comparison with the control groups. Localized administration of 30 mg/kg DOX showed a high efficacy for suppressing tumor growth, but exhibited obvious body weight losing at the same time. Correspondingly, the DOX-loaded hydrogel with the dose of 15 mg/kg achieved significantly improved anti-tumor efficacy and prolonged mean survival time compared with both the free DOX (15 mg/kg) and other control groups. Furthermore, during the whole therapeutic process, the mice showed no obvious body weight loss, major organs damage or death in this group. The MTD of DOX-loaded agent based on the PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel gave a 2-fold increase compared to the MTD of free DOX (7.5 mg/kg, intravenous injection) for the mouse without significant systemic toxicity.

Preparation of Polylactide Composite with Excellent Flame Retardance and Improved Mechanical Properties

Despite the good biodegradable and mechanical properties, poly(lactic acid) still suffers from a highly inherent flammability, which restricts its applications in the electric and automobile fields. In order to improve the flame retardancy of PLA, in this work, melamine polyphosphate (MPP) and zinc bisdiethylphosphinate (ZnPi) were firstly incorporated into PLA, and the synergistic effect of them on flame retardance of PLA was investigated using limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 vertical measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cone calorimeter tests etc. The results showed that PLA composite with 15 wt% of MPP/ZnPi (3:2) had the best flame-retardant efficiency with LOI value of 30.1 and V0 rating in UL-94 tests, which was far better than using MPP or ZnPi alone. What is more, although a wide range of flame retardants have been developed to reduce the flammability, so far, they normally compromise the mechanical properties of PLA. On the premise of maintaining good flame-retardant performance, we improved the toughness of flame-retardant PLA composite, and the impact strength of flame-retardant PLA composite was more than tripled (8.08 kJ/m2) by adding thermoplastic urethanes (TPU). This work offers an innovative method for the design of the unique integration of extraordinary flame retardancy and toughening reinforcement for PLA materials.

Processing and properties of magnesium alloy micro-tubes for biodegradable vascular stents

Magnesium alloys are considered to be one of the most promising stent materials due to their good biological compatibility and biodegradable properties. However, the poor workability at room temperature restricts the processing of high-precision micro-tubes for the application as stent materials. In this study, Mg–Zn–Y–Nd alloy tube blank was firstly produced through hot extrusion. By multi-pass cold drawing combining with interpass annealing, the extruded tube blank can be processed into high-precision micro-tube with an outer diameter of about 2.0 mm and a wall thickness of about 0.15 mm. The drawn micro-tube after annealing exhibits improved mechanical properties with an ultimate tensile strength of about 298 MPa and a large breaking elongation of up to 20%. Meanwhile, the micro-tube shows good corrosion resistance with a trend of uniform corrosion in simulated body fluid solution. The investigation revealed that a significant improvement in the mechanical properties is mainly attributed to grain refinement and texture weaken, while the good biodegradable properties is related with the low density of crystallographic defects as well as fine and homogeneous microstructure. As a result, the successful processing of magnesium alloy micro-tube provides the precursor for laser engraving stents.

Synthesis and property study of cellulose methyl carbonate in DMSO/DBU/CO<sub>2</sub> system via <italic>in situ</italic> organocatalysis

<p indent=0mm>Cellulose is the most abundant biorenewable resource on the earth, and is also characterized by its low price, easy derivatization and good biodegradable property. It is believed that derivatization is an important strategy to extend its applications. Cellulose carbonate is one of the most important classes of cellulose derivatives, as they have good potential in the field of green packaging film materials, thermoplastics, solid electrolyte, and so on. In this study, cellulose methyl carbonate has been synthesized successfully after the dissolution of cellulose in the novel 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU)/DMSO/CO₂ system followed by the addition of dimethyl carbonate via the <italic>in-situ</italic> organocatalysis by DBU. The structure and thermal properties of the as prepared cellulose methyl carbonate were systematically characterized by NMR, FTIR, TGA and DSC. The results show that cellulose methyl carbonate with a DS of 1.09 was achieved after <sc>12 h</sc> at <sc>60 °C</sc> with molar ratio of dimethyl carbonate/AGU at 8:1. The DSC/TGA results show that the cellulose methyl carbonate with DS=1.09 has a <italic>T</italic>_g of <sc>62.9 °C</sc> and starts thermal degradation at <sc>305.5 °C</sc>.

A Case Study of 3D Printed PLA and Its Mechanical Properties

In this modern manufacturing scenario cost effectiveness and environment friendly design of a production process plays a vital role. This article focuses towards the newer manufacturing technique 3D Printing (3DP) and its feasibility to implementation towards biomedical components. 3DP is technology which can create complex geometry into a solid model. This solid model is made up Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) method which is a type of rapid prototyping method. In this study Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) is considered as an alternate to the existing material. PLA is a biodegradable polymer which possesses good strength and biodegradable property which is highly needed in production of newer components through 3DP. The study begins with creation of solid 3D model based on the ASTM standards to test the strength of the material using micro tensile testing and biodegradable test of component using landfill method. The results clearly shows that the strength of the test specimen is strongly satisfies which can be further used as any biomedical component as well as the land fill test of the specimen over a period of 30 days to 60 days shows good amount of weight reduction which is also a fine outcome of this research work. Another way to degrade PLA by using bacterial degradation such as Amycolatopsis coloradensis are able to degrade PLA. A purified protease from amycolatopsis sp., PLA depolymerise, can also degrade PLA.

Effect of silk fiber on the structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of PVA/PVP composite films

In the present study, short fiber‐reinforced hybrid composite films of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly (vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) with different weight percentages of silk fiber, were prepared by the solvent casting technique. The thermal, mechanical, morphological, and bio‐degradable characteristics of the prepared films were evaluated. Soil burial experiments were performed in order to study the bio‐degradation rate of the composite films. The composite films showed good mechanical strength with increasing fiber concentration along with good thermal and biodegradable properties. This could possibly be due to the chemical interaction of the fiber functional groups and the matrix, as implied from the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thus making them an exceptional material to be safely disposed without causing ecological damage. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1923–1930, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Biosynthetic PCL-graft-Collagen Bulk Material for Tissue Engineering Applications.

Biosynthetic materials have emerged as one of the most exciting and productive fields in polymer chemistry due to their widespread adoption and potential applications in tissue engineering (TE) research. In this work, we report the synthesis of a poly(ε-caprolactone)-graft-collagen (PCL-g-Coll) copolymer. We combine its good mechanical and biodegradable PCL properties with the great biological properties of type I collagen as a functional material for TE. PCL, previously dissolved in dimethylformamide/dichloromethane mixture, and reacted with collagen using carbodiimide coupling chemistry. The synthesised material was characterised physically, chemically and biologically, using pure PCL and PCL/Coll blend samples as control. Infrared spectroscopy evidenced the presence of amide I and II peaks for the conjugated material. Similarly, XPS evidenced the presence of C–N and N–C=O bonds (8.96 ± 2.02% and 8.52 ± 0.63%; respectively) for PCL-g-Coll. Static contact angles showed a slight decrease in the conjugated sample. However, good biocompatibility and metabolic activity was obtained on PCL-g-Coll films compared to PCL and blend controls. After 3 days of culture, fibroblasts exhibited a spindle-like morphology, spreading homogeneously along the PCL-g-Coll film surface. We have engineered a functional biosynthetic polymer that can be processed by electrospinning.

Gemini quaternary ammonium salt waterborne biodegradable polyurethanes with antibacterial and biocompatible properties

Novel antibacterial waterborne polyurethanes based on gemini quaternary ammonium salt with good biodegradable and biocompatible properties.

Preparation and characterization of a degradable magnesium phosphate bone cement.

A kind of degradable magnesium phosphate bone cement (MPBC) was fabricated by using the mixed powders of magnesium oxide (MgO), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) and calcium dihydrogen phosphate (Ca(H2PO4)2.H2O). As MgKPO4, the main product of MgO and KH2PO4 was alkaline, the Ca(H2PO4)2.H2O was added to neutralize the alkali of the system. And the effects of Ca(H2PO4)2.H2O on the performance of MPBC were discussed. The results showed that the adding of Ca(H2PO4)2.H2O extended the setting time, which was about 6 min to 18 min. The compressive strength increased first and then decreased, and maximum value reached 31.2 MPa after setting for 24 h without any additional pressure. The MPBC was degradable in Tris–HCl solution, and the extracts of the cytotoxicity assay showed that the MPBC had good biocompatibility, indicating that the MPBC had good biodegradable and biocompatible properties.

Degradation characteristics, cell viability and host tissue responses of PDLLA-based scaffold with PRGD and β-TCP nanoparticles incorporation.

This study is aimed to evaluate the degradation characteristics, cell viability and host tissue responses of PDLLA/PRGD/β-TCP (PRT) composite nerve scaffold, which was fabricated by poly(d, l-lactic acid) (PDLLA), RGD peptide(Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Tyr, GRGDY, abbreviated as RGD) modified poly-{(lactic acid)-co-[(glycolic acid)-alt-(l-lysine)]}(PRGD) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). The scaffolds’ in vitro degradation behaviors were investigated in detail by analysing changes in weight loss, pH and morphology. Then, the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl) -2,5-diphenyl-2 -H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cell live/dead assay were carried out to assess their cell viability. Moreover, in vivo degradation patterns and host inflammation responses were monitored by subcutaneous implantation of PRT scaffold in rats. Our data showed that, among the tested scaffolds, the PRT scaffold had the best buffering capacity (pH = 6.1–6.3) and fastest degradation rate (12.4%, 8 weeks) during in vitro study, which was contributed by the incorporation of β-TCP nanoparticles. After in vitro and in vivo degradation, the high porosity structure of PRT could be observed using scanning electron microscopy. Meanwhile, the PRT scaffold could significantly promote cell survival. In the PRT scaffold implantation region, less inflammatory cells (especially for neutrophil and lymphocyte) could be detected. These results indicated that the PRT composite scaffold had a good biodegradable property; it could improve cells survival and reduced the adverse host tissue inflammation responses.

Prediction of Compressive Strength of Biodegradable Mg–Zn/HA Composite via Response Surface Methodology and Its Biodegradation

This work aimed to fabricate magnesium zinc/hydroxyapatite (Mg–Zn/HA) composite via powder metallurgy method and to develop a mathematical model to predict the compressive strength of the composite using response surface methodology method. The effect of various mechanical milling parameters, milling speed (200–300 r/min), ball-to-powder weight ratio (5–12.5) and HA content (2.6–10 wt%) on the compressive strength of Mg–Zn/HA composite was investigated. The model shows that high compressive strength of Mg–Zn/HA composite was achieved when the powders were prepared with high milling speed and ball-to-powder weight ratio and low HA content. The mathematical model was adequate with error percentage lower than 3.4%. The microstructure of Mg–Zn/HA composite with different process parameters revealed that fine microstructure was observed at high milling speed and ball-to-powder weight ratio while agglomeration of HA was found in composite with 10 wt% HA. The agglomeration of HA led to degradation of interfacial bonding strength between matrix and reinforcement phases and hence decreased the overall compressive strength of Mg–Zn/HA composite. Biodegradation test revealed that sample with higher HA content had more weight gain and there was more formation of hydroxyapatite. Mg–Zn/HA composite with 8 wt% HA was found to be the best candidate for implant application because it had considerable compressive strength and good biodegradation properties.

Synthesis and application of photo-active carboxymethyl cellulose derivatives

In this work, the polysaccharide carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was first activated via periodate oxidation then modified by insertion of photo-active cinnamic acid hydrazide moieties to finally produce the photo-crosslinkable CMC-CM with various extents of functionalizations. The chemical structures of the manufactured polymeric materials were entirely investigated utilizing FTIR, 1H, 13C NMR, and UV–vis spectra. Upon irradiation in UV light, the progress and kinetics of the cross-linking were detected using UV–vis spectra. Moreover, the crystallinity changes before and after chemical modification and subsequent UV irradiation were examined by XRD spectra. Also, the obtained hydrogels with various cross-linking densities were freeze dried to visualize the morphological changes using SEM. In addition, the rheological experiments indicated the improvement of the hydrogel mechanical properties by increasing both UV irradiation time and degree of cinnamate functionalization. The obtained hydrogel exhibited good swelling, gelation and biodegradation properties, which indicate a promising potential in different biomedical applications.

Electrospun Poly(lactide-co-glycolide-co-3(S)-methyl-morpholine-2,5-dione) Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering.

Biomimetic scaffolds have been investigated in vascular tissue engineering for many years. Excellent biodegradable materials are desired as temporary scaffolds to support cell growth and disappear gradually with the progress of guided tissue regeneration. In the present paper, a series of biodegradable copolymers were synthesized and used to prepared micro/nanofibrous scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide-co-3(S)-methyl-morpholine-2,5-dione) [P(LA-co-GA-co-MMD)] copolymers with different l-lactide (LA), glycolide (GA), and 3(S)-methyl-2,5-morpholinedione (MMD) contents were synthesized using stannous octoate as a catalyst. Moreover, the P(LA-co-GA-co-MMD) nanofibrous scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning technology. The morphology of scaffolds was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the results showed that the fibers are smooth, regular, and randomly oriented with diameters of 700 ± 100 nm. The weight loss of scaffolds increased significantly with the increasing content of MMD, indicating good biodegradable property of the scaffolds. In addition, the cytocompatibility of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds was tested by human umbilical vein endothelial cells. It is demonstrated that the cells could attach and proliferate well on P(LA-co-GA-co-MMD) scaffolds and, consequently, form a cell monolayer fully covering on the scaffold surface. Furthermore, the P(LA-co-GA-co-MMD) scaffolds benefit to excellent cell infiltration after subcutaneous implantation. These results indicated that the P(LA-co-GA-co-MMD) nanofibrous scaffolds could be potential candidates for vascular tissue engineering.

Design and in vivo assessment of polyester copolymers based on trimethylene carbonate and ε‐caprolactone

ABSTRACTPoly(trimethylene carbonate‐co‐caprolactone) (PTCL) copolymers with various trimethylene carbonate ratios were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization and were used to prepare implants for an in vivo experiment. Medical silicone rubber was used as the control. Implants were prepared by compression molding with a laboratory instrument. The properties of these copolymer implants were investigated. PTCL implants and silicone rubbers were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal region of New Zealand white rabbits. The assessment was performed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 months postoperatively by the determination of the weight loss, water uptake, thermal behavior, molecular weight of the explanted implants, and histological examination. During the 8‐month implantation, the value of maximum weight loss was found to be 25%. A continuous decrease in the molecular weight occurred. No remarkable tissue reactions were observed during degradation, and foreign‐body reactions were similar to those of silicone rubbers, which are commercially available materials. In this study, we aimed to indicate the likely clinical behavior but good biodegradable properties of PTCL copolymers compared to those of silicone rubber. This may open a new avenue of application for them in the drug industry. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41815.