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The effects of β-irradiation on electrospun polycaprolactone fibres
Summary
This study investigated the effects of beta irradiation on electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers, evaluating mechanical properties, fiber morphology, crystallinity, and biocompatibility changes induced by high-energy radiation used for accelerated aging. The research was motivated by concern that synthetic polymer nanofibers, though increasingly produced for medical applications, can contribute to microplastic fiber pollution when they degrade, with biodegradable PCL offering reduced environmental risk compared to non-biodegradable counterparts.
Microplastics originating from the degradation of plastic waste are considered a global concern for the environment, with microplastic fibres from synthetic textiles being responsible for the majority of microplastic pollution.Over the past few decades, there has also been a notable increase in the production of synthetic polymeric materials in the form of nanofibers for various applications.Despite this fact, knowledge in the field of aging of nanofibrous materials is very limited.To evaluate the effects of polymer aging, accelerated aging techniques involving high-energy irradiation are commonly used.This work focuses on the impact of irradiation on electrospun polycaprolactone nanofibers.Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a semicrystalline biodegradable polyester widely used in medical applications; thus, any potentially formed fiber fragments pose less risk to the environment and health compared to non-biodegradable counterparts.The impact of irradiation was evaluated in terms of the mechanical properties of the prepared nanofibrous mats.Additionally, the effects on fibre morphology and crystallinity were assessed, as well as the impact of irradiation on the biocompatibility of the material.