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Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a semi-crystalline, hydrophobic, biodegradable polyester that has gained popularity as a biomedical polymer due to its biocompatibility, ease of manipulation both chemically and physically, and tunable degradation rates. It is a versatile polymer that can be processed into various forms, including films, fibers, and 3D printed scaffolds, making it suitable for a wide range of applications in tissue engineering, and drug delivery. PCL is degraded by hydrolysis of its ester linkages under physiological conditions at a slower rate than other common biodegradable polymers such as polyglycolide (PGA), poly lactic acid (PLA), and their copolymers, thus making it useful for longer term implants. In general, PCL with higher molecular weight will have a slower degradation rate. Temperature, pH, presence of enzymes, surface area-to-volume ratio, and the specific application will also impact the degradation rate of PCL. The low melting point (~60°C) of PCL enables a high degree of malleability which makes it useful for 3D printing, film-forming, and heat molding. PCL’s biodegradation also makes it an environmentally friendly replacement for many ecologically persistent plastics in a variety of applications. MELTING POINT: ~60°C TG: ~ -60°C VISCOSITY: ~2.6 dL/g [i.v.] APPEARANCE: White to off-white solid BIODEGRADATION TIME: ~ > 2 years References 1. Cho YS, Gwak S-J, Cho Y-S. Fabrication of Polycaprolactone/Nano Hydroxyapatite (PCL/nHA) 3D Scaffold with Enhanced In Vitro Cell Response via Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM). Polymers. 2021; 13(9):1394. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13091394 2.Seyedsalehi, A., Daneshmandi, L., Barajaa, M. et al. Fabrication and characterization of mechanically competent 3D printed polycaprolactone-reduced graphene oxide scaffolds. Sci Rep 10, 22210 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78977-w 3. Yong Sang Cho, Meiling Quan, Nae-Un Kang, Hun-Jin Jeong, Myoung Wha Hong, Young Yul Kim, Young-Sam Cho, Strategy for enhancing mechanical properties and bone regeneration of 3D polycaprolactone kagome scaffold: Nano hydroxyapatite composite and its exposure, European Polymer Journal, Volume 134,2020, 109814, ISSN 0014-3057, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2020.109814. 4. Cho, Y. S., Quan, M., Lee, S.-H., Hong, M. W., Kim, Y. Y., & Cho, Y.-S. (2019). Assessment of osteogenesis for 3D-printed polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite composite scaffold with enhanced exposure of hydroxyapatite using rat calvarial defect model. Composites Science and Technology, 107844. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2019.107844 5. Ho, C.-C., Fang, H.-Y., Wang, B., Huang, T.-H., & Shie, M.-Y. (2017). The effects of Biodentine/polycaprolactone three-dimensional-scaffold with odontogenesis properties on human dental pulp cells. International Endodontic Journal, 51, e291
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