Microstructured Coatings and Surface Functionalization of Poly(caprolactone-co-lactide) Using Gas-Permeable Mold
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Low-melting bioabsorbable polymers, such as poly(caprolactone-co-lactide) (PCLA), hold significant promise for biomedical applications. However, achieving high-precision micro- and nanotopographical functionalization remains a formidable challenge due to the material’s susceptibility to thermal deformation during conventional thermal molding processes. In this study, functional microstructured PCLA coatings were engineered via low-temperature nanoimprint lithography utilizing a TiO2–SiO2 gas-permeable mold. These molds were synthesized via a sol–gel method utilizing titanium dioxide and silicon precursors. The gas-permeable nature of the mold facilitated the efficient evacuation of trapped air and volatiles during the imprinting process, enabling the high-fidelity replication of microstructures (1.3 μm height, 3 μm pitch) and nanostructured PCLA coatings featuring linewidths as narrow as 600 nm. The resultant microstructured PCLA coatings demonstrated modulated surface wettability, evidenced by an increase in water contact angles from 70.1° to 91.4°, and exhibited enhanced FD4 elution kinetics. These results confirm morphology-driven functionalities, specifically hydrophobicity and controlled release capabilities. Collectively, these findings underscore the efficacy of this microfabrication approach for polycaprolactone-based materials and highlight its potential to catalyze the development of high-value-added biomaterials for advanced medical and life science applications. This study establishes a foundational framework for the practical deployment of next-generation bioabsorbable materials and is anticipated to drive innovation in precision medical manufacturing.
Source: Coatings
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W7116696974