Abstract
Polymer complexation is one of the convenient routes for the development of new polymeric materials. Polymeric complex based on poly(aspartic acid) and poly(ethylene glycol) is an interesting compound due to its attractive properties brought by the both components. Poly(aspartic acid) belongs to the family of synthetic polypeptides and it is a biocompatible and biodegradable water-soluble polymer, and owing in part to the carboxylic groups has some similar chemical properties to that of poly(acrylic acid). Poly(ethylene glycol) is also an interesting nonionic polymer because it is soluble in water and several organic solvents, due to the presence of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments. The near-infrared chemical imaging (NIR-CI) method is the fusion between near-infrared spectroscopy and image analysis with the unique capability to provide both qualitative and quantitative data of localized and space-averaged chemical compositions. The NIR-CI technique is successfully used in pharmaceutical applications to reveal the extent of ingredient blending, particle size distribution, the presence of polymorphs, and trace contaminants. In the present study the homogeneity of the polymeric complex based on poly(aspartic acid) and poly(ethylene glycol) it was evaluated, using NIR-CI technique which was also sustained by zeta potential and FT-IR analyses, the methods being employed in order to characterize the compound as future potential biomaterial structure. Keywords: biomaterial, poly(aspartic acid), poly(ethylene glycol), NIR-CI