Photochemically cross-linked poly(ε-caprolactone) with accelerated hydrolytic degradation

[Display omitted] •PCL film doped with benzophenone was cross-linked using irradiation at λ>350nm.•Photochemical cross-linking of PCL films was proved by gel content and rheology.•Photochemical cross-linking of PCL films accelerates its hydrolytic degradation. Irradiation of benzophenone (BP)-doped poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) films at λ>350nm alters the molecular characteristics, viscoelastic properties and hydrolytic degradation rate. The influence of BP concentration on changes caused by irradiation of BP-doped PCL film was investigated using gel permeation chromatography along with analyses of gel content, DSC and rheology. Changes in the rate of basic hydrolysis of irradiated BP-doped PCL films were also investigated. Irradiation of PCL film doped with at least 0.5% w/w BP led to cross-linking and gel formation, even though simultaneous degradation was also observed. Polar groups formed during the irradiation of BP-doped PCL films enhanced the hydrolysis of cross-linked PCL films compared with untreated films.