In many areas of application of conventional non-degradable cross-linked polyurethanes (PUR), there is a need for their degradation under the influence of specific environmental factors. It is practiced by incorporation of sensitive to degradation compounds (usually of natural origin) into the polyurethane structure, or by mixing them with polyurethanes. Cross-linked polyurethanes (with 10 and ...

A series of zinc(II) and magnesium(II) alkoxides based upon a beta-diiminate ligand framework has been prepared. [(BDI-1)ZnO(i)Pr](2) [(BDI-1) = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene] exhibited the highest activity and stereoselectivity of the zinc complexes studied for the polymerization of rac- and meso-lactide to poly(lactic acid) (PLA). [(BDI-1)ZnO(i)()...

Co-polymers of lactide and glycolide, referred to as PLGA, have generated tremendous interest because of their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability and mechanical strength. Various polymeric devices like microspheres, microcapsules, nanoparticles, pellets, implants, and films have been fabricated using these polymers. They can be transformed by spinning into filaments for subsequent fab...

Amphiphilic block copolymers have attracted a great deal of attention in drug delivery systems. In this work, a series of monomethoxy-poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (ε-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide) (MPEG-PCLA) copolymers with variable composition of poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly (D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) were prepared via ring-opening copolymerization of ε-CL and D,L-LA in the presence of MPEG a...

Replacing glass fibres with flax is a first step in reducing the ecological impact of thermoset composite materials, and employing biodegradable thermoplastic matrix opens up recycling composting as end-of-life routes. Here, range fibre reinforced thermoplastics were investigated: poly-(hydroxy alkanoate) (PHA), poly-(butylene-succinate) (PBS) poly-(lactide) (PLA). Poly-(propylene) (PP) maleic-...

Statins, a group of potent inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A reductase in cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, have been widely used as a cholesterol lowering drug. The plieotrophic effect of statins on bone metabolism in long-term usage has been begun to be studied during recent years and several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the ability of statins to promote ex...