Synthesis of Polycaprolactone Films by Melt Electrowriting Method

Ercümen İ. M., Çetinkaya T., Budalan İ., Gürün G., Şengör G. F.

X. Polymer Science and Technology Congress with International Participation (PolimerTR 2026), İstanbul, Turkey, 16 September 2026, pp.278-279, (Summary Text)

Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
City: İstanbul
Country: Turkey
Page Numbers: pp.278-279
Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Melt Electrowriting (MEW) is an advanced additive manufacturing technology that combines electrospinning principles with high-precisionextrusion, enabling the fabrication of well-defined microfibrous scaffolds. In MEW, the electric potential difference is applied to a meltedpolymer complex rather than to a polymer solution, so the polymer is brought into a liquid state by heating instead of being dissolved in asolvent. This study investigates the printability, morphological structural differences, and surface/color characteristics of neat Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) films fabricated via MEW method using the Axolotl MEW Biosystem. PLC (ESUN 1000C, Mw ≈ 100 kDa) was utilizedand its films were fabricated using an Axolotl Biosystems printer (Istanbul, Türkiye) equipped with MEW printhed, voltage power supply, andair comporessor. Printing was performed at 170°C, 3.5 kV, 30 mm/s, and 35 psi, utilizing 3cc stainless steel cartridge and brass nozzle, whilesample-specific printing parameters are presented in Table 1.

Table 1. MEW printing conditions.

Sample	Layer Height (mm)	Density (%)	Surface Offset (mm)	Perimeter Count	Nozzle (mm)
PCL1	0.20	50	5.0	1	0.5
PCL2	0.10	100	3.5	1	0.2
PCL3	0.20	100	3.5	3	0.2
PCL4	0.10	100	3.5	3	0.2

The apparent contact angles estimated from the droplet profiles were 105°, 75°, 110°, and 95° for P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively. L*, a*, b*, and chroma and 8° gloss values were presented in Table 2.

Films colours was measured using a YS3010 spectrocolorimeter, while surfacewettability was evaluated by contact angle measurements using a KRUSS DSA25S goniometer. The apparent contact angles estimated from the droplet profiles were 105°, 75°, 110°, and 95° for P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively. L*, a*, b*,and chroma and 8° gloss values were presented in Table 2.

Table 2. Colour parameters of PCL films.

Sample	L*	a*	b*	Chroma Value	8° gloss
PCL1	51.34±0.38	-0.850 ± 0.02	1.830± 0.06	1.490±0.23	13.40±10.5
PCL2	22.34± 0.1	-0.020±0.01	-0.270±0.04	0.280±0.04	1.020±0.33
PCL3	18.40±0.01	0± 0.02	-0.490±0.05	0.490±0.05	0.470±0.28
PCL4	19.29±0.02	-0.070±0.06	-0.36±0.07	0.360±0.08	0.29±0.26

Study demonstrated successful fabrication of PCL films with distinct structural and surface properties using MEW. Future studies will focus onincorporating spirulina-derived bioactive compounds into the films and evaluating their potential as functional coatings.