Modification of PLA by Irradiation

Recently, most of the practical information about PLLA modification by irradiation seems to have been kept proprietary or only vaguely described in the patent literature because of hasty development of PLLA materials. Though such information is of interest, few reports on recent developments about such PLLA modification can be obtained in the scientific literature. 

PLLA originally has low wettability and poor compatibility to cells due to its hydrophobicity. Therefore, some attempts have been made to solve this problem by irradiation, such as ionized beam irradiation [28], UV/ozone irradiation [29], or oxygen radio frequency glow discharge [30]. Moreover, it is also effective to reconstruct the surface of PLLA chemically with hydrophilic molecules. UV-induced graft polymerization with hydrophilic monomers and additives can enhance the wettability and cytocompatibility [31-36]. 

Schnabel, Polymer Degradation Principles and Practical Applications, Hanser International, Munich, 1981, Chapters 4 and 5. 

Photodegradation of Polymers Physical Characteristics and Applications, Springer, Berlin, 1996. 

The Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Natural and Synthetic High Polymers, Interscience Publishers, New York, 1958. 

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