Recent developments within the topic of biomaterials has taken hold of researchers due to the mounting concern of current environmental pollution as well as scarcity resources. Amongst all compatible biomaterials, polycaprolactone (PCL) is deemed to be a great potential biomaterial, especially to the tissue engineering sector, due to its advantages, including its biocompatibility and low bioactivity exhibition. The commercialization of PCL is deemed as infant technology despite of all its advantages. This contributed to the disadvantages of PCL, including expensive, toxic, and complex. Therefore, the shift towards the utilization of PCL as an alternative biomaterial in the development of biocomposites has been exponentially increased in recent years. PCL-based biocomposites are unique and versatile technology equipped with several importance features. In addition, the understanding on the properties of PCL and its blend is vital as it is influenced by the application of biocomposites. The superior characteristics of PCL-based green and hybrid biocomposites has expanded their applications, such as in the biomedical field, as well as in tissue engineering and medical implants. Thus, this review is aimed to critically discuss the characteristics of PCL-based biocomposites, which cover each mechanical and thermal properties and their importance towards several applications. The emergence of nanomaterials as reinforcement agent in PCL-based biocomposites was also a tackled issue within this review. On the whole, recent developments of PCL as a potential biomaterial in recent applications is reviewed.

Roselle fiber is a type of natural fiber that can potentially be used as a reinforcement material in polymer composites for different applications. This study investigated the chemical, physical, thermal, mechanical, and morphological characteristics of roselle fiberreinforced vinyl ester subjected to different fiber treatments. The roselle fiber was treated with alkalization and a silane coupling agent, and samples were prepared using the hand lay-up method. Treated roselle fiber significantly enhanced most of the properties of vinyl ester biocomposites compared with an untreated biocomposite. The results revealed that alkalization and silane treatment of the fiber changed its chemical properties. The treated fiber improved water repellence behavior of the roselle fiber-reinforced vinyl ester compared with the untreated fiber. Use of a silane coupling agent was determined as the best chemical treatment for the water absorption effect. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated that alkalization-treated fiber had improved thermal stability; however, the opposite result was obtained with the silane-treated fiber. The morphological examination of treated and untreated roselle fiber-reinforced vinyl esters showed a good fiber adhesion between the treated fiber and the matrix, and less fiber pull-out from the matrix was observed. This observation provides good indication of the interfacial interlocking between the fiber and the matrix, which improved the tensile properties of the composites. In contrast, the impact results revealed that the treated fiber had a decreased impact energy compared with the untreated fiber. POLYM. COMPOS.,

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