The Influence of the Molecular Weight of Poly(Ethylene Oxide) on the Hydrolytic Degradation and Physical Properties of Polycaprolactone Binary Blends

The use of biodegradable polymers in tissue engineering has been widely researched due to their ability degrade and release components a controlled manner, allowing for the potential regeneration tissues. Melt blending is common method controlling degradation rate these polymers, which involves combining materials molten state create homogenous mixture with tailored properties. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL) was melt blended hydrophilic poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) different molecular weights assess its effect on PCL material performance. Hydrolytic degradation, thermal viscoelastic properties, surface hydrophilicity were performed contrast properties blends. DSC, DMA, FTIR selected degraded PCL/PEO specimens following mass loss studies. results showed that adding PEO reduced viscosity-torque temperature while increasing hydrophilicity, optimizing blend soft applications could contribute development more effective biocompatible regeneration.