Antibacterial coatings of surgical implants: radiation-chemical aspect
Poly(L-lactic acid) has been irradiated by electron beam provided a uniform distribution of a radiation dose through the sample bulk as well as prevention of the sample heating above the polymer glass temperature was observed. The dependences of poly(L-lactic acid) molecular and supramolecular structure characteristics (average molecular weight, D-units content in the macromolecules, crystallite melting temperature, the position of crystal reflexes in WAXD patterns) on the dose absorbed have been determined. The thermal component of high radiation exposure has been established to have the most significant impact on the poly(L-lactic acid) structure rearrangement during antibacterial coatings deposition on surgical implants from active gas phase to ensure the required biocide additives release rate from the coatings.