Abstract
ABSTRACTGelatin–polycaprolactone hybrid materials are being used in medicinal applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering applications nowadays. In this study, gelatin–polycaprolactone graft copolymer was synthesized through ring-opening polymerization process instead of conventional grafting methods using potentially cytotoxic crosslinkers, or applying plasma, aminolysis reactions. Gelatin nanofiber (GNF) was produced by electrospinning process before immobilization of poly(ε-caprolactone). Ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone was successfully initiated on the surface of GNF using tin(IV) isopropoxide and gelatin (primary amine functional groups) as an initiator and a coinitiator, respectively. The growing of polymer chains on GNF was indicated by both scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Chemical structure was characterized through infrared spectrum, thermal behaviors and the material composition was analyzed with thermogravimetric analysis, wettability and hydrophilicity were determined by water contact angle measurements.
Published Version
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