Electrospun polycaprolactone/polyglyconate blends: Miscibility, mechanical behavior, and degradation

Electrospun blends of polycaprolactone and polyglyconate were prepared for the first time to evaluate the synergistic properties. The morphology and thermal properties of the blends were used to determine the degree of miscibility. Dynamic mechanical analysis was used to evaluate the mechanical performance and viscoelastic properties of the blends. In vitro degradation studies in phosphate buffered saline (pH of 7.3) were carried out to investigate the hydrolytic degradation of the polymer system. FT-IR and SEM analysis, DSC, and mechanical testing were performed to evaluate the degradation profiles of the blends. A 3:1 ratio of polyglyconate to polycaprolactone was concluded to be a partially miscible blend with enhancements in tensile strength, flexibility, and percent elongation to failure over neat polyglyconate. In addition, the 3:1 ratio of polyglyconate to polycaprolactone scaffold exhibited a stable morphology, modulus of elasticity, and mass up to 6 weeks in vitro.