# Accelerated Hydrolytic Degradation of PLA/Magnesium Composite Films: Material Properties and Stem Cell Interaction

## TL;DR

This paper studies how surface-modified magnesium particles affect the degradation and biocompatibility of PLA composite films.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is demonstrating that surface-modified Mg particles can slow degradation without harming biocompatibility.

## Key findings

- PLA/5MgTT and PLA/5MgPEI showed highest resistance to degradation due to surface modification.
- Modified composites retained biocompatibility and osteogenic potential when tested on human bone marrow cells.

## Abstract

The accelerated hydrolytic degradation of poly(L-lactide) (PLA)/magnesium (Mg) composite films was investigated to elucidate the influence of surface modification of Mg particles on the degradation behavior and characteristics of PLA composites. Accelerated degradation studies were conducted at 60 °C in a pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered solution over 7 weeks, with degradation monitored using several techniques: mass loss, water absorption, thermal analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicated that all composite films experienced more than 90% mass loss at the end of experiment; however, PLA/5MgTT and PLA/5MgPEI exhibited the highest resistance to degradation, likely due to the protective effect of the surface modification induced by thermal treatment and polyethylenimine (PEI). Notably, these characteristics did not compromise the biocompatibility or osteogenic potential of the films, which remained comparable to the control samples when tested on human bone marrow multipotent mesenchymal/stromal cells.