Analytical methods in resorbable polymer development and degradation tracking

This chapter aims to provide an overview of the analytical methods used to support research and development of resorbable polymeric materials, to investigate the polymer structure and the nature of degradation products, and to perform biodegradation tests. It is focused on the most significant studies concerning synthetic matrices (polylactide, polyglycolide and their copolymers, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyesteramides, etc.), published approximately in the last ten years. Traditional and modern analytical procedures, surface and bulk methods are compared, highlighting for each its own strengths and weaknesses, and the multiple techniques often employed to complement one another.