440744

Polycaprolactone

average M_n 80,000

• Synonym(s): 2-Oxepanone homopolymer, 6-Caprolactone polymer
• Linear Formula: (C₆H₁₀O₂)_n
• UNSPSC Code: 12162002
• NACRES: NA.23

Properties

• form: pellets (~3 mm)
• mol wt: average M_n 80,000
• impurities: <0.5% water
• mp: 60 °C (lit.)
• density: 1.145 g/mL at 25 °C
• Mw/Mn: <2
• application(s): 3D bioprinting; advanced drug delivery
• SMILES string: C1CCC(=O)OCC1 (Canonical-SMILES)
• InChI: 1S/C6H10O2/c7-6-4-2-1-3-5-8-6/h1-5H2
• InChI key: PAPBSGBWRJIAAV-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Description

General description

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a semi crystalline hydrophobic biodegradable polyester which finds major applications as a drug delivery agent because of its cost efficiency, high toughness and biocompatibility. PCL possesses some unique properties such as:

• It degrades slower than other biodegradable polyesters in physiological condition, this property can be exploited in the controlled release of drugs in target tissues over a period of time.
• Its poor surface wetting and interaction with biological fluids on account of its hydrophobicity leads to poor cell adhesion and proliferation, hence it is blended with other synthetic /natural polymers.

Application

• PCL loaded with antibiotics may be used to treat infections of the respiratory tract, like tuberculosis.
• Investigations were carried out based upon phenotypic responses of human bone marrow mesenchymal cells (hBMSCs) for different ratio of chitosan/ polycaprolactone (PCL) blends.
• PCL/biomedical ceramic materials have been studied for possible osteo tissue regeneration.
• Action of PCL/graded insulin/beta-5 glycerophosphate concentrations on osteochondral tissue formation through adipose-derived stromal cell differentiation.
• Other general uses include:extrusion aid, die lubricant, mold release, pigment and filler dispersion aid and polyester segments in urethanes and block polyesters.

Features and Benefits

Biodegradable polymer
Non-toxic, biodegradable in soil, broad miscibility, mechanical compatibility with many polymers and good adhesion to a broad spectrum of substrates.

Safety Information

• Storage Class: 11 - Combustible Solids
• wgk_germany: WGK 3
• flash_point_f: Not applicable
• flash_point_c: Not applicable
• ppe: Eyeshields, Gloves, type N95 (US)