The Choice of Biocompatible Polymer: Physico-Chemical Properties as the Key Factor to Be Considered

Abstract

Water-soluble polymers, polymeric micelles and poly­meric and other nanoparticles coated with polymers are very often used in current biomedical research and applications. The key component of most of such systems is a biocompatible polymer on the surface of such objects, which overwhelmingly affects physico-chemical behavior, interaction with the biological environment (usually by limiting undesirable unspecific interactions) and thus the general usability of the entire system. This article presents a critical review of the physicochemical behavior of commonly used biocompatible polymers for the most effective choice for various biomedical applications.