| Abstract: | Methods for preparation of oligo(lactone) macromonomers end-capped with methacrylate groups are summarized. The conversion of C=C double bonds during the crosslinking copolymerization of the macromonomers has been studied by means of Laser Raman spectroscopy at room temperature. Glass transition, mechanical properties and the degradation rate of composite materials prepared by copolymerization in the presence of hydroxylapatite may systematically be influenced both by the type of lactone monomer, e.g. D,L- or L,L-dilactide, diglycolide, and the comonomer, e.g. 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, tetrahydro-furfuryl methacrylate, tri(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate. The composites should be useful as bone implant materials with lower polymerization exotherm and better biocompatibility than conventional materials based on methyl methacrylate. |
