Physicochemical characterisation of degrading polycaprolactone scaffolds

A degradation study investigating the hydrolysis of different scaffolds of polycaprolactone suspended in phosphate buffer solution at 37 °C was performed over a three month period. Structures included electrospun fibres, held as 2D mats and 3D bundles, and solvent cast films. These structures and their surrounding solutions were physiochemically characterised using a range of techniques. Changes in scaffold physicochemical properties were observed over the course of the study, including significant loss in molecular mass, increases in thermal properties and crystallinity, and increases in tensile properties. The presence of degradation products, such as capronic acid containing compounds was also identified in the surrounding solution. 3D electrospun bundles - as a consequence of being the least crystalline scaffold and hence most susceptible to hydrolysis - demonstrated greatest reduction in molecular mass over the three months, followed by 2D electrospun mats, and the lowest mass loss was observed for solvent cast films.