Synthesis, structural properties and biodegradability of PCL composite films filled with graphene derivatives

Abstract

PCL has limited use in drug delivery systems and tissue engineering due to its slow biodegradability. Studies are continuing on the degradation process of PCL. This study was carried out to determine the effects of graphene derivative fillers on the structural and biodegradability properties of PCL composite films. PCL composite films filled with the same content (0.5 wt%) of graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were prepared by the liquid-phase ultrasonic mixing method. Characterization studies of the films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical microscopy (OM), and surface roughness tests. All fillers were homogeneously distributed in the polymer matrix, and polymer-filler interactions were achieved. Graphene derivatives showed different effects on nucleation, and the PCL/RGO film had the finest grain structure. The highest weight loss occurred in PCL/GO film, which had the highest porosity (23.49%) and surface roughness value of 12.33 mu m. This study proposes the addition of graphene derivatives (GO and RGO) with oxygen-containing functional groups to the PCL matrix as a viable way to control the degradation process of PCL.