Azo-polysiloxanes thermal stability study: Thermal stability of azo-polysiloxanes with biological applications

This paper presents a thermogravimetric study of azo-polysiloxanic materials that may be used as supports for cells culture. This type of polymer may generate nanostructured surfaces when subjected to laser irradiation, yielding a cell response that depends on surface relief. Modification of cell growth supports using nanostructured synthetic materials improves general understanding of the complex mechanisms that control cell adhesion and migration in normal conditions, as well as in various pathologies. These polymers require good thermal stability, since they need to be able to withstand both the interaction with the laser source, as well as various sterilization processes, without noticeable alteration in structure and properties. Thermal stability analysis confirms that the azo-polysiloxanic materials under study here may be used up to 300 degrees C in dynamic temperature conditions and also for a period of 40 minutes in isothermal conditions at 180 degrees C.