Characterization and Drug Delivery Potential of Biodegradable PCL/PLA Scaffolds Fabricated via Solvent-Cast Direct-Writing

3D printing of biodegradable scaffolds for drug delivery holds significant promise for patient-specific tissue engineering. Solvent-cast direct-writing (SCDW) is a versatile technique that produces intricate architectures by microextruding polymer solutions that solidify upon solvent evaporation. Unlike conventional 3D printing approaches, which often require high pressures, elevated temperatures, or photocurable resins, SCDW operates under gentle conditions, accommodating a wide variety of biodegradable polymers and thermosensitive agents. This study develops a specialized SCDW protocol to construct complex scaffold geometries using polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactic acid (PLA) as the polymer matrices, with ibuprofen serving as the model thermosensitive drug. The thermal, physical, and mechanical properties of the PCL/PLA system are characterized, and in vitro dissolution studies assess the impact of polymer composition on drug release kinetics. Results reveal a strong correlation between the polymers’ physical state and release behavior: PCL to PLA ratio of 35:65 achieved the highest cumulative release in a sustained manner, releasing over 40% of the encapsulated drug within three weeks. Ratios richer in PCL triggered an initial burst release, while higher PLA contents decreased the release rate. This study establishes a versatile framework for expanding SCDW-processed biodegradable polymers in advanced drug delivery and tissue engineering applications.