Processing/structure/property relationship of multi‐scaled PCL and PCL–HA composite scaffolds prepared via gas foaming and NaCl reverse templating

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the processing/structure/property relationship of multi-scaled porous biodegradable scaffolds prepared by combining the gas foaming and NaCl reverse templating techniques. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), hydroxyapatite (HA) nano-particles and NaCl micro-particles were melt-mixed by selecting different compositions and subsequently gas foamed by a pressure-quench method. The NaCl micro-particles were finally removed from the foamed systems in order to allow for the achievement of the multi-scaled scaffold pore structure. The control of the micro-structural properties of the scaffolds was obtained by the optimal combination of the NaCl templating concentration and the composition of the CO2-N2 mixture as the blowing agent. In particular, these parameters were accurately selected to allow for the fabrication of PCL and PCL-HA composite scaffolds with multi-scaled open pore structures. Finally, the biocompatibility of the scaffolds has been assessed by cultivating pre-osteoblast MG63 cells in vitro, thus demonstrating their potential applications for bone regeneration.

Interaction of cell culture with composition effects on the mechanical properties of polycaprolactone-hydroxyapatite scaffolds fabricated via selective laser sintering (SLS)

“…For example, Shor et al [20] Previous studies also showed that the addition of HA to PCL does not result in a significant increase in cell numbers. This was structure independent as this observation was made for foams [38], films [39] and surface coatings [40]. The composition has indirect effects such as changes in the localization of the cells due to differences in surface properties.…”

Bio-safe fabrication of PLA scaffolds for bone tissue engineering by combining phase separation, porogen leaching and scCO2 drying

“…The biocompatibility of PLA scaffolds was investigated in vitro by using MG63 cells, as these cells represent a good model for the examination of the biological response of bTE scaffolds [14]. The results of the in vitro study are reported in Figs.…”

“…The possibility to design and fabricate porous scaffolds with interconnected porosity and large pores, of the order of hundreds of microns, is of great importance in bTE to ensure the 3D migration and colonization of bone cells and the correct development of new bone tissue in vitro and in vivo [1,2,12,14]. In addition, the presence of a double scale pore size distribution and a nano-scale fibrous pore wall texture can improve fluids transport and cell-scaffold interactions in the entire construct [2,4,5].…”

“…The use of potentially toxic chemicals during the fabrication route is thus so circumvented. Furthermore, the particulate leaching technique helps in achieving a fine control over the architecture of the porous scaffold network by the appropriate selection of the concentration and size distribution of the particulate porogen [13,14].…”

Synthesis and Characterization of PCL/Calcined Bone Composites

“…So far, the papers about preparation of PCL/HA composite materials have been reported [13][14][15][16][17] . However, PCL/HA composite materials were mostly prepared by blend [18][19][20] , in the process of which HA were produced through hydrothermal synthesis 21 or sol-gel 22 , etc.…”