Physical, mechanical and biological properties of poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (CEC)/chitosan composite film

In this paper, a series of CEC/chitosan composite films with various CEC contents (0%, 10%, 30%, 50% and 70%) were successfully prepared by casting/solvent evaporation technology in 80% acetic acid solution. The obtained composite films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). respectively. Additionally, mechanical properties, in vitro water absorption as well as in vitro degradation behavior of CEC/chitosan composite films were also investigated. The intrinsic cytotoxicity of extraction fluids of composite films was investigated by MTT assay using Rat osteoblastic cells (ROS cells). Results revealed that the extract fluids of composite films except that of 10% CEC composite film were non-cytotoxic after 24 h incubation. Cell adhesion as well as morphology was analyzed by SEM, which indicated that the ROS cells appeared to adhere well and exhibited a normal morphology on the surface of composite films after 24 h incubation. The obtained composite films might have great potential application in the field of tissue engineering. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.