A well-defined miktoarm star copolymer (μ-PEG-PCL-PLLA) was synthesized and the crystallization behavior of the copolymers was investigated. The structure of copolymer was confirmed by 1 H NMR, the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution were studied by GPC . XRD and POM were used to study the crystallization behavior of the miktoarm star copolymers. The XRD spectra showed that the miktoarm star copolymer showed low crystallinity for the joint of terminal, which limited the mobility of polymeric chains. The POM photographs revealed that PCL segments formed spherulites with PLLA crystalline grains as nucleus due to the good compatibility between PCL and PLLA.
A three-layer small-diameter vascular graft (SDVG) of polycaprolactone (PCL) and l -polylactic acid (PLLA) with pore diameter gradient was prepared through combining variable-extrusion speed iterative electrospinning and ultrasonic reaming. The SEM results showed that the three-layer PCL/PLLA SDVG has distinct pore diameter gradient. The Young’s modulus, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), burst pressure (BP) and compliance of the vascular graft were high as 20.116 ± 0.465 MPa, 2.259 ± 0.141 MPa, 2050 ± 249 mmHg and 4.203 ± 0.330 %/100 mmHg, respectively. The UTS of the graft is similar to human coronary arteries. The BP meets the basic requirements to prevent aneurysmal dilation, and the compliance is higher than that of sheep carotid artery. The fluid–solid coupling simulation results showed that the graft had high mechanical properties to withstand the same blood flow velocity as human coronary arteries, and there was no stress concentration in the wall. Besides, it had good biocompatibility, promoting the adhesion and proliferation of rat vascular endothelial cells (ECs). The successful preparation of the small-diameter vascular graft with high mechanical properties for preventing itself from rupturing and ensuring the overall function, provides more possibilities for the clinical transplantation of small-diameter vascular grafts.