This work explores the processability of a commonly used biomaterial polycaprolactone and a synthetic poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE-CTFE). Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biocompatible, biodegradable and low bioactive polymer with easy processability, making it suitable for tissue engineering and biomedical applications. (PVDF-TrFE-CTFE) is an electroactive polymer that has gained attention in the field of tissue engineering because of its unique combination of piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties.

The work aimed to prepare 3D printed objects with a structured surface on the extruded fibers from PCL/PVDF-TrFE-CTFE blends. Surface texturization typically provides higher surface area which can improve cell adhesion or impact cellular morphology, both important for enhanced biocompatibility of scaffolds tissue engineering.

To obtain objects with structured surfaces, a phase separation method based on the dissolution of the polymers in a combination of good and poor solvents was used. The solutions were further processed by extrusion 3D printing or electrospinning. Final fibre morphologies were analysed by microscopic methods to evaluate the effects of the solvents and process parameters on the fiber textures. Concerning the possible use of the final structures for biomedical applications, the residual solvents in the samples were analysed by infrared spectroscopy to confirm their absence.