Enhanced biocompatibility of polyphosphazenes achieved by radiation grafting

This paper reviews the work recently carried out in the authors' laboratory on the radiation graft copolymerization of hydrophilic monomers onto polyphosphazenes. Kinetics of grafting by the mutual irradiation method at room temperature of monomer-solvent mixtures were followed. Hydrophilicity, structure, mechanical properties, biocompatibility and anticoagulating properties of the modified samples were reported. Some experiments on the grafted polymer, to which heparin was ionically bonded with a high yield, were also carried out. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.