Laser Surface Structuring of Biocompatible Polymers Films for Potential use in Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract

The research scope encompasses the different methods of fabricating the biocompatible and biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) membrane through simultaneous bi-axially drawn films prepared via: 1) conventional solution casting, 2) spin casting and 3) solvent-free method of hot roll-milling. The purpose of biaxial drawing is to enhance the mechanical properties of the film. PCL films were shown to be suitable for membrane tissue engineering applications. However, prior treatment of sodium hydroxide solution or plasma was required to provide better affinity for cells. Alternative method to treat the PCL films using different lasers to modify the surface by creating micro-structures were carried out. In this study, the mathematical modeling of heat propagation on the PCL film during the impingement of laser using different wavelengths and pulse duration was studied and compared with the actual results. The scope of this thesis ended with the degradation study of PCL films caused by the irradiation of the lasers. and photo-thermal reactions, which also leads to the breaking down of polymer chain.