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Zhong, J. Poly(epsilon-caprolactone). Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/61173 (accessed on 12 November 2026).
Zhong J. Poly(epsilon-caprolactone). Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/61173. Accessed November 12, 2026.
Zhong, Jack. "Poly(epsilon-caprolactone)" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/61173 (accessed November 12, 2026).
Zhong, J. (2026, October 20). Poly(epsilon-caprolactone). In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/61173
Zhong, Jack. "Poly(epsilon-caprolactone)." Encyclopedia. Web. 20 October, 2026.

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone)

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Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) is an aliphatic polyester prepared by the ring-opening polymerisation of caprolactone. Its low melting point and long aliphatic repeat unit give it a high elongation and a slow hydrolysis rate compared with poly(lactic acid) and polyglycolide [1]. The slow degradation suits devices that must remain intact for more than a year, and the polymer therefore appears in long-term implants and in controlled-release matrices [2]. It is miscible with several other polyesters and is often blended to adjust the degradation rate and the mechanical response [3]. The low melting point allows scaffolds and fibres to be produced by melt extrusion and by three-dimensional printing without a solvent, which is convenient when the loaded active substance is moisture-sensitive [4]. The same low melting point limits the sterilisation routes available and restricts the material to service temperatures below roughly sixty degrees [5].

caprolactone ring-opening polymerization hydrolysis rate polyester melt extrusion scaffold elongation
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References

  1. Dziemiańczyk, P.; Łysik, D.; Vernay, F.; Mystkowska, J. Understanding Polycaprolactone Degradation: Molecular Mechanisms and Implications for Biomedical Device Design. Materials 2026, 19, 3894. [CrossRef]
  2. Emonts, C.; Bauer, B.; Pitts, J.; Roger, Y.; Hoffmann, A.; Menzel, H.; Gries, T. Mechanical, Biological and In Vitro Degradation Investigation of Braided Scaffolds for Tendon and Ligament Tissue Engineering Based on Different Polycaprolactone Materials with Chitosan-Graft-PCL Surface Modification. Polymers 2024, 16, 2349. [CrossRef]
  3. Kahdim, Q.S.; Abdelmoula, N.; Al-Karagoly, H.; Albukhaty, S.; Al-Saaidi, J. Fabrication of a Polycaprolactone/Chitosan Nanofibrous Scaffold Loaded with Nigella sativa Extract for Biomedical Applications. BioTech 2023, 12, 19. [CrossRef]
  4. González-González, A.M.; Cruz, R.; Rosales-Ibáñez, R.; Hernández-Sánchez, F.; Carrillo-Escalante, H.J.; Rodríguez-Martínez, J.J.; Velasquillo, C.; Talamás-Lara, D.; Ludert, J.E. In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of a Polycaprolactone (PCL)/Polylactic-Co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) (80:20) Scaffold for Improved Treatment of Chondral (Cartilage) Injuries. Polymers 2023, 15, 2324. [CrossRef]
  5. Dias, J.R.; Sousa, A.; Augusto, A.; Bártolo, P.J.; Granja, P.L. Electrospun Polycaprolactone (PCL) Degradation: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study. Polymers 2022, 14, 3397. [CrossRef]
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Subjects: Polymer Science
Contributor MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register : Jack Zhong
View Times: 9
Revisions: 2 times (View History)
Update Date: 20 Oct 2026
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