Sol-gel synthesis, characterization and bioactivity of polycaprolactone/SiO2 hybrid material

A novel organic/inorganic hybrid material was synthesized by sol-gel method from a multicomponent solution containing tetramethylorthosilicate (TMOS), polycaprolactone (PCL), water, and methilethylketone (MEK). The interpenetrating network structure is realized by hydrogen bonds between Si—OH group (H donator) in the sol-gel intermediate species and carboxylic group (H-acceptor) in the repeating units of the polymer.The presence of hydrogen bonds between organic/inorganic components of the hybrid material was proved by FTIR analysis. The morphology of the hybrid material was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The structure of a molecular level dispersion has been disclosed by atomic force microscope (AFM), pore size distribution and surface measurements. The bioactivity of the synthesized hybrid material has been showed by the formation of a layer of hydroxyapatite on the surface of PCL/SiO₂ samples soaked in a fluid simulating the composition of the human blood plasma.