This study developed a biodegradable composite porous polyurethane scaffold based on polycaprolactone and polyethylene glycol by sequential in-situ foaming salt leaching and freeze-drying process with responsive shape changing performance. Biomineral hydroxyapatite (HA) was introduced into the polyurethane matrix as inorganic fillers. Infrared spectroscopy results proved a successful synthesis, scanning electron microscopy showed that the scaffold’s porosity decreased with the addition of HA while the average pore size increased. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the addition of HA lowered the melting point of the scaffold, resulting in a transition temperature close to the human body temperature. From the bending experiments, it could be demonstrated that PUHA20 has excellent shape memory performance with shape fixity ratio >98.9% and shape recovery ratio >96.2%. Interestingly, the shape-changing capacity could be influenced by the porous structures with variation of HA content. The shape recovery speed was further accelerated when the material was immersed in phosphate buffered saline at 37 °C. Additionally, in vitro mineralization experiments showed that the scaffold incorporating HA had good osteoconductivity, and implantation assessment proved that scaffolds had good in vivo biocompatibility. This scaffold is a promising candidate for implantation of bone defects.
Biodegradable scaffolds with photothermal effects and customizable pore structures are a hot topic of research in the field of bone repair. In this study, we prepared porous scaffolds using poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as the raw material and customized the pore structure with 3D printing technology. First, we investigated the effect of pore structure on the mechanical properties of this 3D PLA scaffold. Subsequently, the optimally designed PLA scaffolds were coated with PDA to enhance their hydrophilicity and bioactivity. XRD (X-ray diffraction), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and EDS (Energy dispersive spectroscopy) results indicated that PDA was successfully coated on the surface of PLA scaffolds. SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) micrographs showed that the surface of the PDA/PLA scaffolds became rough. WCA (water contact angle) confirmed that the material has enhanced hydrophilic properties. PDA/PLA scaffolds exhibit a tunable photothermal effect under NIR (near infrared) irradiation. The 3D-printed PLA/PDA scaffolds have remarkable potential as an alternative material for repairing bone defects.
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