Polymerfree

Polymerfree is a descriptor used to indicate materials, coatings, or processes that avoid polymer components. It is applied across disciplines to distinguish approaches that rely on inorganic, ceramic, metallic, or carbon-based constituents rather than polymer matrices. In coatings and films, polymerfree formulations aim to achieve barrier, optical, or surface-functional properties using non-polymeric substrates, such as metal oxides, silicones, or ceramic layers.

In medical technologies, polymerfree concepts refer to devices or procedures that deliver drugs or modify surfaces without polymer carriers. The motivation is to reduce polymer-related complications, such as inflammatory responses or late failures, by using alternative delivery mechanisms or direct drug binding to the substrate. This approach is discussed in the context of stents, coatings for implants, and biosensor interfaces, where long-term stability and biocompatibility are critical considerations.

Fabrication methods for polymerfree systems vary with the application. Common techniques include physical vapor deposition (sputtering, evaporation), chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, and sol–gel processes that yield inorganic or hybrid inorganic–organic layers. Self-assembly can also produce organized inorganic coatings without polymers. Challenges in polymerfree design often involve achieving tunable mechanical properties, adhesion to substrates, and controlled release or surface functionality without the versatility of polymer matrices.

Overall, polymerfree concepts reflect an interest in alternatives to polymers that may offer enhanced thermal stability, chemical resistance, or biocompatibility in particular applications. The term’s exact meaning is context-dependent and used variably across materials science, engineering, and biomedical fields.