Unidirectional freeze‐casting method is used to fabricate gelatin–bioglass nanoparticles (BGNPs) scaffolds. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that sol–gel prepared BGNPs are distributed throughout the scaffold with diameters of less than 10 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetric are used to evaluate the physicochemical properties of BGNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs present an oriented porous structure and a homogeneous distribution of BGNPs in the gelatin matrix. The lamellar‐type structure indicates an improvement of mechanical strength and absorption capacity of the scaffolds. Increasing the concentration of BGNPs from 0 to 50 wt% have no noticeable effect on pore orientation, but decreases porosity and pore size distribution. Increase in BGNPs content improves the compressive strength. The absorption and biodegradation rate reduces with augmentation in BGNPs concentration. Bioactivity is evaluated through apatite formation after immersion of the nanocomposites in simulated body fluid and is verified by SEM–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), an element map analysis, X‐ray powder diffractometer, and FTIR spectrum. SEM images and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay confirm the biocompatibility of scaffolds and the supportive behavior of nanocomposites in cellular spreading. The results show that gelatin–(30 wt%)bioglass nanocomposites have incipient physicochemical and biological properties.

In the current study, a controlled unidirectional freeze casting method was employed to fabricate highly porous gelatin scaffolds. Different gelatin concentrations of 1, 3, and 5 wt% were dissolved in distilled water, and the constant value of glutaraldehyde cross-linking agent (0.5 wt%) was added to the solution. Then, the solutions freeze casted at different cooling rates of 1, 3, and 6°C/Min and freeze dried. Finally, pore morphology, mechanical properties, and water adsorption characteristics of scaffolds were assessed. Results showed that the increase in gelatin concentration caused the pore shapes to change from oblate and polygon to almost round but the cooling rate had no obvious effect on pore morphology. Compressive strength of the scaffolds improved as a function of increase in cooling rate and gelatin concentration from 20 to 1,150 kPa. The value of water adsorption was decreased with augmentation in gelatin concentration and cooling rate in the range of 2,000%-500%. Therefore, this study suggests that the use of a controllable freeze casting method and cooling rate can tailor the pore morphology, mechanical properties, and water adsorption of gelatin scaffolds and could be a novel approach to avoid the use of a toxic dose of a cross-linking agent like glutaraldehyde.

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