Modeling Degradation Behavior of (Bio)Degradable Polymers for Medical Devices: A Comparative Review of Physio-chemical Approaches

This review delves into the physio-chemical modeling of widely used (bio)degradable polymers such as polylactide (PLA), polyglycolide (PGA), and polycaprolactone (PCL), emphasizing the interplay between environmental conditions, chemical reactions, and material alterations. It utilizes structural equations and reaction–diffusion approaches to model changing structural properties during degradation. This review explores recent advances in physio-chemical modeling techniques, offering insights into predicting degradation kinetics, molecular weight evolution, and mass loss. This comprehensive understanding is essential for tailoring the degradation profiles of (bio)degradable polymers, optimizing their performance, and reducing environmental impact. Additionally, the review covers various other modeling approaches, including the multiscale method and the hybrid method, providing a holistic view of the current state of (bio)degradable polymer degradation modeling.