Issue 23, 2017

Drawing in poly(ε-caprolactone) fibers: tuning mechanics, fiber dimensions and surface-modification density

Abstract

Uniaxial drawing of melt-coextruded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) microfibers was investigated to understand impact on topological, mechanical, and chemical properties of the fibrous scaffolds. Fibers were uniaxially elongated up to 7-fold to observe polymer chain orientation and crystal structure. Crystallinity and orientation of crystal domains were investigated by DSC and X-ray scattering. Polymer physical properties were directly correlated to bulk fiber properties. Furthermore, the drawn fibers were modified photochemically with functionalized benzophenones. The results of these studies allowed for comparison between fiber dimension/surface area, mechanical properties, and photochemical reaction yield for surface modification. As drawing increased, the modulus and tensile strength of the fibers increased as did the surface area of the scaffolds. By contrast, increased drawing led to a decrease in the ability to undergo photochemical reaction at the polymer surface. This fundamental investigation provides a predictive framework to understand how post-processing impacts three critical parameters for coextruded fibrous biomaterial scaffolds.

Graphical abstract: Drawing in poly(ε-caprolactone) fibers: tuning mechanics, fiber dimensions and surface-modification density

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
09 Jan 2017
Accepted
22 Mar 2017
First published
29 Mar 2017

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2017,5, 4499-4506

Drawing in poly(ε-caprolactone) fibers: tuning mechanics, fiber dimensions and surface-modification density

S. Kim, A. M. Jordan, L. T. J. Korley and J. K. Pokorski, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2017, 5, 4499 DOI: 10.1039/C7TB00096K

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