3D interconnected porous HA scaffolds with SiO₂additions: Effect of SiO₂content and macropore size on the viability of human osteoblast cells

Abstract

3D interconnected porous scaffolds of HA and HA with various additions of SiO2 were fabricated using a polymeric template technique, to make bioceramic scaffolds consisting of macrostructures of the interconnected macropores. Three different sizes of the polyurethane template were used in the fabrication process to form different size interconnected macropores, to study the effect of pore size on human osteoblast cell viability. The template used allowed fabrication of scaffolds with pore sizes of 45, 60, and 75 ppi, respectively. Scanning microscopy was used extensively to observe the microstructure of the sintered samples and the characteristics of cells growing on the HA surfaces of the interconnected macropores. It has been clearly demonstrated that the SiO2 addition has influenced both the phase transformation of HA to TCP (β-TCP and α-TCP) and also affected the human osteoblast cell viability grown on these scaffolds.

Bioceramic-based composites reinforced with carbonaceous nanomaterials

“…It signifies that the addition of S-CNTs promoted the decomposition of HA. Nikom et al [347] also found that the addition of SiO 2 enhanced the phase transformation of HA to TCP during sintering. The average grain size of pure HA pellet sintered at 1100 °C was measured to be 1.12 μm, which was 25.3 % larger than that of the 1 wt.% S-CNT/HA pellet sintered at the same temperature (Fig.…”

“…drastically. In addition, previous studies suggest that HA composites containing SiO 2 may require a higher sintering temperature than pure HA [118,346,347]. The sintered pellets were ground with sand paper and polished to 1 μm surface finish for various characterizations.…”

“…Because of such differences, significant changes in the sintering behavior can be induced by the reinforcing material. Additionally, the decomposition of the base bioceramic may be promoted by the incorporation of a second phase [347]. The role of the reinforcing phase in such changes should be unambiguously understood as it closely relates to the properties and performance of the sintered samples.…”