Polycaprolactone (PCL) foams were produced by thermally induced phase separation. Tetrahydrofuran/methanol (THF/MeOH) (solvent/non-solvent) mixture was used for the induction of liquid-liquid phase separation of PCL solutions, which were quenched at three different temperatures of 4, -20 and -80 °C. Solvent exchange followed by vacuum drying yielded polymeric foams with different morphologies. Characterization of foams was obtained by SEM, XRD, mercury intrusion porosimetry and compression tests. Influence of polymer concentration, quench temperature, and THF/MeOH ratio, on the foam morphology and properties were systematically investigated. Lower PCL concentration, lower THF content and higher quench temperature lead to larger pore sizes in the foams obtained. By selectively tuning the process parameters, PCL foams with controlled pore sizes (10-450 µm), porosity (83-91%) and morphology (cellular, bead-like, microspherical) were obtained.

Preparation of monolithic polycaprolactone foams with controlled morphology by thermally induced phase separation

256th National Meeting (2018)

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