Fused deposition processing polycaprolactone of composites for biomedical applications

ABSTRACT

The polycaprolactone (PCL)-engineered scaffolds demonstrate cell viability, which is useful for bone tissue applications. The FDA-approved PCL can be engineered with various transition metals, polymers, and nanomaterials, for biomimicking of extracellular matrix via fabrication of its scaffolds. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is an innovative technique for processing of biopolymers via biologically functionalized nanoparticles, leveraging design of stacked architecture at microlevel resolution. Present review gives progress on PCL biomaterials processed via FDM, for bioactive scaffolds and bone tissue applications. Finally, review concludes with benefits of PCL biomaterials processed via FDM and their applicability for biomedical applications.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Polycaprolactone
• biomaterials
• nanoparticles
• FDM

Acknowledgments

The authors sincerely acknowledge Dr Hina Gokhale, Vice Chancellor of DIAT (DU), Pune, and Dr T.O. Varghese, Director, Centre for Biopolymer Science & Technology, Kochi, Kerala, for motivation and support. The authors are also thankful to Mr Ramdayal Yadav, Mr Prakash Gore, Mr Swaroop Gharde, and Miss Kirti Thakur for continuous technical support and help in the revision of this paper.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Arya Prasad

Arya Prasad was born in 1996 in India. She is pursuing Master’s degree in Biopolymer Science from Institute of Plastics Technology (unit of CIPET) under the affiliation of Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, Kerala. Her research interests are in Biopolymers, 3D printing and applications of biopolymers in biomedical field.

Balasubramanian Kandasubramanian

Balasubramanian Kandasubramanian is a Professor and Head of Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, DIAT (DU), Ministry of Defence, India, and has been highly acclaimed for his contribution in polymer processing for various Defence and civilian applications including antibacterial, smart textiles, hydrophobic coatings, ablative materials, fire retardant fabrics, waste-water treatments and polymer nanocomposites. He was actively involved in the development of various research laboratories including Polymer Processing Lab, Nano Texturing Laboratory, Advanced Characterization Labs (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope, and Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Lab), Additive Manufacturing Laboratory, etc. The research activity of Prof. Balasubramanian’s group can be classified under five categories, i.e., water management, smart textiles, biomimicking of polymers, structural composites, advanced coatings for Defence applications. Prof. Balasubramanian has been recognized by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) as one of the most cited author of the year 2015, for his erudite work on super-hydrophobicity. He has been recently awarded with the prestigious award of “Technology Innovation in Petrochemicals and Downstream Plastic Processing Industry” from Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India for his contribution in Waste/Water management and Design of Advanced Coatings. In last five years, he has developed various technologies in the form of patents and peer reviewed journal articles and international conferences. Apart from his scholarly achievements, Prof Balasubramanian has been actively involved in various collaborative works with academia and industries across the world.