Degradation product profiles of melt spun in situ cross-linked poly(ε-caprolactone) fibers

Abstract

In situ cross-linking of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fiber with bis-(ε-caprolactone-4-yl) (BCY) was shown to be a feasible approach to compensate for reduction in molar mass of PCL during melt-spinning. The effect of in situ cross-linking on the degradation profile of melt spun PCL fibers with different amounts of BCY was evaluated using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Degradation of the cross-linked fibers was carried out in aqueous medium at 37 °C and 60 °C for different periods of time. The degradation profiles were then compared with uncross-linked fiber and 3D porous cross-linked film of PCL. Interesting differences in the degradation product profiles with linear, cyclic or BCY-related low molar mass compounds were observed, clearly demonstrating the effect of cross-linking and processing on the degradation process and formation of water-soluble products. In addition the degradation product profiles demonstrated that in situ cross-linking is a feasible technique for counteracting degradation reactions during melt-spinning.