Polycaprolactone,Mn 45000

• CAS: 24980-41-4
• Catalog Number: ALC-FP-24980414
• Category: Featured Products
• Molecular Weight: 46947
• Molecular Formula: (C6H10O2)n
• Appearance: White Solid
• Melt Flow Index: 15.06
• Poly Dispersity: 1.6568
• Sample Lot No.: A24C328E2

Case Study

Polycaprolactone Nanoparticles for Targeted Topical Delivery of Azithromycin

Matos BN, et al. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 2025, 114(B), 107559.

Polycaprolactone (PCL) was employed to engineer polymeric nanoparticles for efficient topical delivery of azithromycin to pilosebaceous follicles. Nanoparticles were produced via nanoprecipitation using 0.075 g PCL dissolved in 7.5 g acetone at 30 °C under magnetic stirring (300 rpm), followed by incorporation of 0.05 g azithromycin to achieve a 0.5 % (w/v) drug concentration. The organic phase was gradually introduced into an aqueous phase containing 50 mg Tween 80® in 10 mL water, with continuous stirring to form a stable nanodispersion. Residual solvent was removed by rotary evaporation at 40 °C and 450 mmHg, and the final suspension stored at 4 °C without precipitation. The resulting nanoparticles were spherical, monodisperse (158.3 ± 0.4 nm; PdI<0.1), and exhibited high drug entrapment (92.5 ± 0.1 %). In vitro skin studies demonstrated enhanced follicular localization of azithromycin (43 ± 6 % after 24 h), confirming the capacity of PCL nanoparticles to achieve sustained, targeted antibiotic delivery with reduced systemic exposure.

Polycaprolactone/Zein/Graphene Oxide Nanofibers for Efficient Lead Ion Removal from Water

Bahiraei A, et al. Materials Science and Engineering: B, 2026, 323(B), 118806.

Electrospun nanofibers composed of polycaprolactone (PCL), zein, and graphene oxide (GO) were developed as high-performance adsorbents for Pb²⁺ removal from drinking water. A chloroform/ethanol (70:30) solvent system containing 15 wt% polymer was prepared with varying PCL/zein ratios and GO loadings (0.1-0.25 wt%). The mixture was electrospun using a single-needle setup (Electroris ES1000, Tehran) at 17 kV, 1 mL h⁻¹ feed rate, and 12 cm tip-to-collector distance onto aluminum foil under 50 % relative humidity. Characterization by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TGA confirmed semi-crystalline structure, fiber diameters of ~776 nm, hydrophobicity (90° contact angle), and thermal stability above 350 °C. Under optimal conditions (30 °C, pH 6, 30-90 min contact time, 1-25 mg L⁻¹ Pb²⁺), the nanofibers achieved >85 % removal efficiency, following Langmuir adsorption and pseudo-second-order kinetics, demonstrating their experimental applicability in water purification.

Polycaprolactone Coatings for Enhanced Adhesion and Dual Antibacterial Function on Polydopamine-Treated Ti-13Ta-12Sn Alloy

Díaz B, et al. Progress in Organic Coatings, 2025, 209, 109553.

Polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun coatings were engineered to improve the biofunctionality of Ti-13Ta-12Sn alloy implants via a polydopamine (PDA) pretreatment. The alloy surfaces were first functionalized by in situ polymerization of 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine, forming a PDA layer to enhance polymer adhesion. PCL solutions (9 wt%) in DMF:CF (2:3) were prepared, with additional formulations containing 15%, 30%, and 40% w/w carvacrol (CAR). Using a TL01 electrospinning system (27 kV, 3 mL h⁻¹, 20 cm needle-collector distance, 25 °C), coatings were deposited onto untreated and PDA-treated alloy disks. Adhesion was quantified by 90° peel tests, showing a threefold increase with PDA. Antibacterial and anti-adherent effects against S. aureus, MRSA, and P. aeruginosa were confirmed by free-energy adhesion analysis and time-kill assays, with CAR-loaded coatings demonstrating rapid inhibition of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. This approach highlights PCL's experimental application in high-risk implant coatings.

Application of Vitamin C-Incorporated Polycaprolactone (PCL-Vit C) Membrane in Osteoblast-Osteoclast Co-Culture

Abdulhameed EA, et al. International Dental Journal, 2025, 75(5), 100949.

This study evaluated the experimental performance of polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes incorporated with vitamin C (PCL-Vit C) under osteogenic conditions using an osteoblast-osteoclast (OB-OC) co-culture model. OB-OCs were seeded onto PCL and PCL-Vit C membranes to replicate the peri-implant bone microenvironment. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was quantified by flow cytometry, while alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and RANKL/OPG ratios were determined via colorimetric and ELISA assays. Gene expression of ALP, Col1, Runx-2 and OCN and protein expression of Runx-2, BMP-7, Col1 and OCN were analyzed by real-time PCR and western blotting. Additionally, phosphorylation of P38, ERK, JNK and β-catenin levels were assessed. PCL-Vit C membranes markedly reduced ROS, enhanced ALP activity, lowered RANKL/OPG ratio and promoted mineralisation, demonstrating their potential as antioxidative, osteoinductive biomaterials for improved bone regeneration.