Lipase mediated synthesis of polycaprolactone and its silica nanohybrid

In this study, rice husk ash (RHA) silanized with 3-glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane was used as support material to immobilize Candida antarctica lipase B. The developed biocatalyst was then utilized in the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ϵ-caprolactone and in situ development of PCL/Silica nanohybrid. The silanization degree of RHA was determined as 4 % (w) by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Structural investigations and calculation of molecular weights of nanohybrids were realized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR). Crystallinity was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used for morphological observations. Accordingly, the PCL composition in the nanohybrid was determined as 4 %, approximately. Short chained amorphous PCL was synthesized with a number average molecular weight of 4400 g/mol and crystallinity degree of 23 %. In regards to these properties, synthesized PCL/RHA composite can find use biomedical applications.