Abstract
The ability of the atomic force microscope (AFM) to observe dynamic polymer/liquid interfaces has been utilized to visualize in situ morphological changes occurring during the biodegradation of polymer surfaces. Using this technique we demonstrate the differential rate of degradation of amorphous and crystalline material and study the kinetics of erosion of an immiscible polymer blend. The use of atomic force microscopy in this applied area of research is furthering our knowledge of the importance of the relationship between surface morphology and degradation kinetics and promises to become an invaluable tool in the evaluation of novel biodegradable materials.
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Shakesheff, K.M. et al. (1997). Visualization of the Surface Degradation of Biomedical Polymers in Situ with an Atomic Force Microscope. In: Cohen, S.H., Lightbody, M.L. (eds) Atomic Force Microscopy/Scanning Tunneling Microscopy 2. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9325-3_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9325-3_11
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