Abstract
In this paper, nanocomposite (NC) films of citric acid (CA)-modified zinc oxide (ZnO) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were fabricated by solvent casting and evaporation method. The prepared films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Then, the effect of the CA-ZnO content on physiochemical properties of the PCL/ZnO-CA NCs was studied. The results of mechanical tests showed enhanced tensile strength and Elastic modulus for the prepared NCs. The FE-SEM images showed relative changes in the morphology of the NCs by increasing the nanoparticles (NP)s content. In vitro bioactivity test of the obtained NCs was performed in simulated body fluid which showed the formation of hydroxyapatite and indicated that the new NCs are bioactive. It was further found that the NPs concentration in the NC films had affected their optical absorption, thermal properties and surface wettability.