In vivo or in the natural environment, PGCL degrades through ester hydrolysis. The degradation products are glycolic acid and caprolactone monomers, which participate in biological metabolism and are ultimately converted into carbon dioxide and water. These monomers are environmentally friendly and have no toxic residues. The degradation rate can be controlled by adjusting the glycolide-to-caprolactone ratio; a higher glycolide ratio results in a faster degradation rate.
At room temperature and in a neutral environment, PGCL has good chemical stability and can withstand common chemical reagents and organic solvents. However, in strong acid, strong base, or high temperature and high humidity conditions, the hydrolysis of the ester bond is accelerated, leading to faster polymer degradation.
PGCL can be formulated into microspheres, nanoparticles, implants, and other dosage forms for drug encapsulation. By adjusting the monomer ratio and molecular weight, the rate and duration of drug release can be precisely controlled to achieve long-lasting, sustained-release, or targeted delivery. For example, encapsulating antibiotics can achieve sustained release at the site of infection, or encapsulating anticancer drugs can achieve targeted therapy at the tumor site, improving drug efficacy and reducing toxic side effects.
PGCL scaffolds have an open pore structure (porosity >85%) and elasticity, supporting cell adhesion and tissue regeneration, making them particularly suitable for vascular transplantation and cartilage repair. Their excellent biocompatibility and adjustable degradation rate make them ideal materials for tissue engineering scaffolds. They provide a suitable environment for cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, promoting tissue repair and regeneration. In bone tissue engineering, they can serve as a scaffold to guide bone cell growth; in skin tissue engineering, they can aid skin cell migration and wound healing.
The resulting sutures possess appropriate strength and flexibility, providing adequate support during the initial stages of wound healing and gradually degrading and absorbing over time, eliminating the need for suture removal and reducing patient pain and infection risk. They are particularly suitable for surgical sutures in areas requiring high flexibility, such as near joints.
PGCL's biodegradability and excellent barrier properties make it suitable for food packaging. It effectively blocks oxygen, moisture, and odors, extending the shelf life of food. It also naturally degrades after use, reducing environmental pollution. It can be used to package fresh foods, baked goods, and more.
In the packaging of electronics, cosmetics, and other products, PGCL can be made into films, containers, and other packaging forms. Its biodegradability helps address packaging waste pollution and meets environmental requirements. Its excellent processing properties also allow it to meet the needs of various packaging shapes and sizes.
PGCL's thermal processing properties and plasticity make it suitable for 3D printing. 3D printing technology can be used to manufacture complex-shaped parts and models, meeting the needs of personalized customization and rapid prototyping, and has potential applications in industrial design, medical model manufacturing, and other fields.
The resulting fibers have a soft feel and a certain degree of elasticity, making them suitable for use in textile manufacturing. In areas such as clothing and home textiles, PGCL fibers offer a comfortable wearing experience, and their biodegradability aligns with the development trend of environmentally friendly textiles.
