Biocompatible Nanobioglass Reinforced Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Composites Synthesized via In Situ Ring Opening Polymerization

Abstract

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a bioresorbable synthetic polyester widely studied as a biomaterial for tissue engineering and controlled release applications, but its low bioactivity and weak mechanical performance limits its applications. In this work, nanosized bioglasses with two different compositions (SiO2–CaO and SiO2–CaO–P2O5) were synthesized with a hydrothermal method, and each one was used as filler in the preparation of PCL nanocomposites via the in situ ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone. The effect of the addition of 0.5, 1 and 2.5 wt % of the nanofillers on the molecular weight, structural, mechanical and thermal properties of the polymer nanocomposites, as well as on their enzymatic hydrolysis rate, bioactivity and biocompatibility was systematically investigated. All nanocomposites exhibited higher molecular weight values in comparison with neat PCL, and mechanical properties were enhanced for the 0.5 and 1 wt % filler content, which was attributed to extensive interactions between the filler and the matrix, proving the superiority of in situ polymerization over solution mixing and melt compounding. Both bioglasses accelerated the enzymatic degradation of PCL and induced bioactivity, since apatite was formed on the surface of the nanocomposites after soaking in simulated body fluid. Finally, all samples were biocompatible as Wharton jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) attached and proliferated on their surfaces.

Chitosan Derivatives with Mucoadhesive and Antimicrobial Properties for Simultaneous Nanoencapsulation and Extended Ocular Release Formulations of Dexamethasone and Chloramphenicol Drugs

“…Since the reduction of MTT can only occur in metabolically active cells, the level of activity is a measure of the viability of the cells. A concentration of 100 or 500 mg/L of each polymer was used, and, as can be seen in Figure 3, both derivatives have similar absorbances with neat CS, indicating that these are biocompatible materials with low toxicity [57,58]. In all cases, the recorded values are very close to that of the reference sample where no material was added on the ASCs.…”

Composite Membranes of Poly(ε-caprolactone) with Bisphosphonate-Loaded Bioactive Glasses for Potential Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

“…In our previous work, we demonstrated that the incorporation of 0.5, 1 and 2.5 wt% of nanosized mesoporous BGs in a PCL matrix via the in-situ ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone, resulted in a biocompatible PCL composite material with superior mechanical properties, accelerated biodegradation rate and bioactivity [63]. In this context, PCL/BG composites and nanocomposites are promising materials for a wide range of applications such as coatings for metallic or ceramic scaffolds for bone regeneration [64,65,66], as a solution for their high corrosion rates or low bioactivity, as root canal filling materials, or as bone scaffolds [15,63,67,68,69,70].…”

Synthesis, characterization and sustainable drug release activity of drug bridged diblock copolymer

“…ROP of CL was reported in the presence of n-butanol as an initiator [1,2]. Terzopoulu et al [3] reported the ROP of CL using SO as a catalyst and initiator. Similarly, other novel initiators such as benzylalcohol [4,5], gelatin [6], lipase [7], mercaptohexanol [8], diethyleneglycol [9], bisphenolate ligand [10] and mPEG [11] were used for the ROP of CL.…”