A number of polymeric biomaterials have been proposed, such as hydrophilic, phase-separated, and zwitterionic polymers. Also, new generation polymer: poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA) shows excellent biocompatibility, and has been approved for medical use. It has not been clearly elucidated which mechanisms are responsible for the biocompatibility on a molecular level, although many theoretical and experimental efforts have been devoted to understand this mechanism. Water interactions have been recognized as a fundamental part of the biological response to contact with biomaterials. We have proposed the “
Intermediate water” concept; the water exhibited clearly defined peaks for cold crystallization in the DSC chart. We found that the localized hydration structure consisting of three hydrated water in poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA). We hypothesized that
Intermediate water, which prevents the proteins and blood cells from directly contacting the polymer surface or
non-freezing water on the polymer surface, plays an important role in the excellent biocompatibility. Here, I will give an overview of the recent progress in the experimental description of mechanisms of biocompatibility driven by thermal analysis.
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