Surface-initiated, enzymatic polymerization of biodegradable polyesters

Abstract

Enzyme-catalyzed, ring-opening polymerization of biodegradable aliphatic polyesters has successfully been applied to surface-initiated polymerization (see Figure). Using lipase B as a catalyst, a thin film of poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDX) on a gold substrate (after a formation of self-assembled monolayers terminating in hydroxyl groups) is formed.