Degradation of Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Calcium Sulfate Whisker Nanocomposites

摘要

The novel biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone)/calcium sulfate nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization of ε-caprolactone in the presence of calcium sulfate whiskers as initiator. The resulting neat polymer and its nanocomposites were compression molded to yield dumbbell type specimens. These samples were allowed to degrade in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solutions at 37 °C and the incubation period lasted 12 months. Various analytical techniques such as FESEM, weighing, DSC and tensile tests were used to monitor property changes during degradation.