Polycaprolactone (PCL) blends refer to combinations of PCL with other polymers to enhance its properties for biomedical, packaging, and industrial applications. PCL is a biodegradable, semi-crystalline polyester known for its flexibility, low melting point, and biocompatibility. However, to tailor its properties for specific uses, PCL is often blended with other polymers to improve mechanical strength, degradation rate, and hydrophilicity.
Common PCL Blends and Their Properties:
PCL/Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) Blends:
Properties: Blending PCL with PLA improves the mechanical properties and biodegradability. PLA provides rigidity and a faster degradation rate, while PCL maintains flexibility. Used in tissue engineering scaffolds, biodegradable packaging, and drug delivery systems.
PCL/Polyurethane (PU) Blends:
Properties: PU enhances the elasticity and toughness of PCL while maintaining biocompatibility. These blends are suitable for dynamic environments requiring flexibility and durability. Used in vascular grafts, wound healing, and flexible implants.
PCL/Chitosan Blends:
Properties: Chitosan, a natural polymer, improves PCL's antimicrobial properties and hydrophilicity. It also enhances its bioactivity, promoting cell attachment and proliferation. Chitosan is useful in wound dressings, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering scaffolds.
PCL/Collagen Blends:
Properties: When blended with PCL, collagen, a major component of the natural extracellular matrix, enhances biocompatibility and supports cell adhesion and tissue regeneration. Collagen is widely used in skin grafts, wound healing, and regenerative medicine.
PCL/Starch Blends:
Properties: Starch, being biodegradable and inexpensive, enhances the biodegradability of PCL and reduces costs, though it can compromise mechanical strength. Used in sustainable packaging materials and some medical applications.
Achievements
37. Mamun, A., Morphological variation of the poly (ε-caprolactone) crystals in bulk, thin and ultrathin films of poly (e-caprolactone)/poly (vinyl methyl ether) blends Journal of Polymer Science Series A, (Springer) 2022, 64(2), 1-11. (IF: 1.2) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S0965545X22700110?noAccess=true
36. Mamun, A., Retardation of the growth rate of the basal and overgrown lamellar crystals of PCL/PVME miscible binary blends with thickness confinement. Polymer Journal (Nature) 2022, 56(6) 941–950. (IF: 3)
34. Mamun, A., Morphology of the basal lamellar crystal and overgrown lamellae of poly (ε-caprolactone)/poly (vinyl methyl ether) blends isothermally crystallized at high temperatures. Journal of Polymer Research (Springer) 2022, 29 (2) 52.(IF:3) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10965-022-02915-9
32. Mamun, A., Effect of acrylonitrile content of SAN on the bending morphology and its quantitative variation inside crystals of PCL/SAN blends confined in thin films. Journal of Polymer Science. 2020, 58 (23), 3283-3293 (IF 4.1)
31. Mamun, A. Advance application of Raman spectroscopy for quantitative analysis of noncrystalline components in thin films of poly(e-caprolactone)/poly(butadiene) blends. Polymer Engineering and Science, 2020, 60 (11), 2702-2709. (IF 3.2)
30. Mamun, A., and Mahmood, R., Comonomer Effect on the Thermal, Morphological, and Mechanical Properties of Ethylene-Octene/Ethyl Vinyl Acetate Blends. Journal of Polymer Science Series A, 2020, 62 (6), 660-669. (IF 1.3)
29. Mamun, A.; Rahman, S. M.; Ronald, S.; and Mahmood, R., Impact of Molecular Weight on the Thermal Stability and the Miscibility of Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Polystyrene Binary Blends. Journal of Polymers and Environment, (2018) 26, 3511–3519. (IF 4.6)
27. Mamun, A.; Souier, M. T.; Rahman, S. M.; Al-Harthi, S. H.; and Munam, A. Miscibility and Thermal Stability of Ethyl Vinyl Acetate and Ethylene-octane copolymer blends. Journal of Polymer Science Series A, 2017, 59 (3), 397-404. (IF 1.3)
25. Mamun, A.; Bazuin, C. G.; Prud'homme, R. E., Morphologies, Growth rates and Interactions of PCL/Polymer blends in Ultrathin Films. Macromolecules, 2015, 48 (5), 1412–1417. ACS publications (IF 6).
23. Mamun, A.; Okui, N., Miscibility and Thermal Studies of Isotactic Polystyrene and Poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) blends. International Journal of Novel Research in Physics Chemistry & Mathematics 2014, 1, (1), 1-5.
22. Mamun, A.; A K Khan, M., Mechanical Properties of SAN/CPE Blends: Effect of the Cl content. Canadian Chemical Transaction 2014, 2, (3), 258-265.
21. Mamun, A.; Mareau, V. H.; Chen, J.; Prud'homme, R. E., Morphologies of miscible PCL/PVC blends confined in ultrathin films. Polymer 2014, 55, (9), 2179-2187. Elsevier publications (IF 4.1).