Engineering Biodegradable Poly(ε-Caprolactone Fumarate) Scaffolds via Surface Chemical Etching for Enhanced Stem Cell Adhesion and Proliferation

Surface properties play a critical role in regulating protein adsorption and cell-material interactions that ultimately determine the biological performance of biodegradable scaffolds. In this study, we explored a surface etching strategy using the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution to tailor the surface properties of biodegradable poly(caprolactone fumarate) (PCLF) scaffolds for biomedical applications. The effects of etching concentration and treatment duration on surface characteristics and biological responses were systematically investigated. Crosslinked PCLF scaffolds were successfully fabricated by UV photopolymerization and subsequently treated with NaOH solutions of varying concentrations and exposure times. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) demonstrated that controlled etching generated micro/nanoscale surface roughness, whereas excessive treatment produced over-etched surfaces with reduced topographical features. Water contact angle measurements showed progressively improved wettability with increasing etching severity. Moderate etching conditions significantly enhanced serum protein adsorption, while excessive etching diminished this benefit. All scaffold groups remained non-cytotoxic and supported high cell viability. Furthermore, moderately etched PCLF scaffolds promoted significantly greater rBMSC attachment, proliferation, spreading, and cytoskeletal organization than untreated scaffolds. These findings demonstrate that optimizing NaOH etching conditions effectively tailors the surface properties of PCLF scaffolds and substantially improves their biological performance, highlighting their potential as promising biodegradable scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.