Tailoring the degradation and mechanical properties of poly(ε-caprolactone) incorporating functional ε-caprolactone-based copolymers

A series of functional block copolymers (COPs) was synthesized through the ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone (CL) and gamma-(carbamic acid benzyl ester)-epsilon-caprolactone (CABCL) monomers at different ratios, and then the effects of the COP additives on the hydrolytic and oxidative degradation and mechanical properties of PCL/COP samples were studied. From characterization using DSC, POM, AFM, WAXD, SAXS, etc., it was demonstrated that the content and distribution of pendant side chains in the COPs can alter the nucleation of macromolecular chains, and then modulate the lamellar thickness and crystallinity of the PCL/COP samples. Such variations of the macromolecular structures result in distinct changes in the mechanical properties during degradation. These results provide useful guidance for the development of ideal materials for biodegradable polymer stents with tunable degradation rates and the desirable evolution of the mechanical properties.