What is Polycaprolactone (PCL)?
Physical and Chemical Properties of Caprolactone & PCL
ε‑Caprolactone
- Molecular formula:
- Molecular weight: 114.14 g/mol
- Appearance: colorless transparent liquid
- Melting point: approximately −1.5 °C
- Boiling point: 237 °C
- Flash point: 109 °C (closed cup)
- Density: 1.069 g/cm³ at 20 °C
- Solubility: miscible with water and most organic solvents; slowly hydrolyzes to 6‑hydroxyhexanoic acid
- Structure: seven‑membered cyclic ester (lactone)
Polycaprolactone (PCL)
- Type: aliphatic polyester, biodegradable polymer
- Melting point: approximately 60–65 °C (333.15–338.15 K)
- Glass transition temperature (): approximately −60 °C
- Crystallinity: high crystallinity
- Hydrophobicity: moderately hydrophobic
- Solubility: soluble in chlorinated solvents, aromatic hydrocarbons; insoluble in water, alcohols, alkanes
- Biodegradability: fully biodegradable in soil, seawater, compost and activated sludge
- Biocompatibility: excellent, non‑toxic, approved for medical applications
