MODFICATION OF SILICONE RUBBER FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

This paper reviews methods of preparing hydrophilized poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) polymers toimprove their properties for biomedical applications. The modification methods are discussed under twodifferent categories: bulk and surface modification techniques. Surface modification techniques include physicaland chemical techniques to modify polymer surfaces. Bulk modification techniques include blending,copolymerization, interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) and functionalization. The properties of surfaceandbulk-modified poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) were examined. The hydrogel content and water-uptakecapability of the modified samples were also investigated. The modified PDMS samples were examined byperforming attenuated total reflection/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical thermalanalysis, scanning electron microscopy, and water contact-angle measurements.The role of adhesion betweenmodified and unmodified PDMS layers on the performances of two-layer structures was studied with peelstrength test.

Keywords:

poly(dimethyl siloxane) , modification , hydrogel , laser-induced surface grafting , interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs)