PLCL gradually degrades within organisms or the natural environment through hydrolysis of ester bonds. The degradation products are L-lactic acid and caprolactone monomers, which participate in biological metabolism and ultimately convert into carbon dioxide and water. These products are environmentally friendly and contain no toxic residues. The degradation rate can be controlled by adjusting the ratio of LLA to CL, the molecular weight of the polymer, and the morphology of the material. Generally, a higher CL content results in a slower degradation rate.
In general chemical environments, PLCL has good chemical stability and can withstand the erosion of common chemical reagents and organic solvents. However, under extreme conditions such as strong acids and bases or high temperature and humidity, the hydrolysis rate of its ester bond will accelerate, leading to accelerated material degradation.
PLCL is often formulated into microspheres, nanoparticles, implants, and other dosage forms for drug encapsulation. By precisely controlling the ratio of LLA to CL and the molecular weight of the polymer, different drug release patterns, such as sustained release and pulsed release, can be achieved, thereby improving drug efficacy and reducing toxic side effects. For example, in cancer treatment, encapsulating chemotherapy drugs in PLCL microspheres enables targeted delivery and slow release at the tumor site, enhancing the killing effect on tumor cells. In vaccine delivery, PLCL nanoparticles can serve as adjuvants to enhance immune responses.
Due to its excellent biocompatibility and adjustable degradation rate, PLCL is an ideal material for tissue engineering scaffolds. It provides a suitable microenvironment for cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, promoting tissue repair and regeneration. In bone tissue engineering, PLCL scaffolds can guide bone cell growth and bone tissue reconstruction; in neural tissue engineering, they can be used to create nerve conduits and guide nerve regeneration.
It can be used to manufacture a variety of absorbable medical devices, such as sutures, staples, and bone fixation devices. Taking sutures as an example, sutures made from PLCL have appropriate strength and flexibility, providing sufficient support in the early stages of wound healing. They will gradually degrade and absorb over time, eliminating the need for suture removal, reducing patient pain and infection risks.
PLCL's biodegradability and excellent barrier properties make it suitable for food packaging. It can be manufactured into films, containers, and other packaging formats, effectively blocking the ingress of oxygen, moisture, and odors, extending the shelf life of food. Furthermore, it degrades naturally after use, reducing environmental pollution and complying with environmental protection requirements. For example, it is suitable for packaging fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and other foods.
PLCL also has broad application prospects in environmentally conscious packaging applications such as electronics and cosmetics. Its biodegradability helps address packaging waste pollution, and its excellent processability allows it to meet packaging requirements of varying shapes and sizes, while also enhancing the product's environmental profile.
PLCL's thermal processing properties and plasticity make it suitable for 3D printing. 3D printing can produce complex, high-precision parts and models, meeting the needs of personalized customization and rapid prototyping. PLCL 3D printing materials have significant application potential in industrial design, medical model manufacturing, aerospace, and other fields.
The resulting fiber has a soft feel, good elasticity, and is biodegradable. It can be blended with other fibers to make clothing, home textiles, and other textiles. It has considerable potential in the environmentally friendly textile market, particularly for consumers who pursue sustainable development and environmental protection.
Transient electronic devices: Combined with conductive polymers (such as PEDOT:PSS), stretchable electronic suture systems can be developed to achieve real-time monitoring and on-demand drug delivery. Smart materials: Functional modification (such as the introduction of hydroxyapatite or fluorescent labeling) can enhance osteoinductivity or enable visualization of drug release.
| 70524-20-8 | Project Name | Method | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
Poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) | Traits | Visual | Color solid |
| Purity (content) | Karl Fischer-Coulomb method | ＜0.5% | |
| Monomer residue | Gas chromatography | ≤0.1% | |
| Tin content | ICP-OES | ≤150ppm |
| 70524-20-8 | Project Name | Method | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
Poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) | Heavy metals (expressed as Pb) | ICP-OES | ≤10ppm |
| Solvent residues | Gas chromatography | ＜1000ppm | |
| Intrinsic viscosity | Capillary viscometer | 0.7-4.0 dL/g | |
| Burnt residue | High temperature burning | ≤0.2% |
