Development by robocasting and mechanical characterization of hybrid HA/PCL coaxial scaffolds for biomedical applications. Issue 14 (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paredes, Claudia; Martínez-Vázquez, Francisco J.; Pajares, Antonia; Miranda, Pedro
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Ceramic Society. Volume 39:Issue 14(2019)
• Page Start: 4375
• Page End: 4383
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: Coaxial scaffolds -- Robocasting -- Mechanical properties -- Hydroxyapatite -- Polycaprolactone; Ceramic materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Matériaux céramiques -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Ceramic materials; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2019.05.053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-2219

Abstract

Abstract: Porous structures consisting of a tetragonal three-dimensional mesh of interpenetrating coaxial tubes were fabricated by robocasting from hydroxyapatite (HA) inks. After sintering the structures, polycaprolactone (PCL) was infiltrated within the tubes core by injection of a polymer solution. The addition of the polymer enhanced the mechanical performance in terms of toughness over dense- and hollow-strut all-ceramic scaffolds, specially under bending stresses. PCL impregnation improved also the compressive strength over hollow-strut scaffolds —although dense-strut structures remained stronger especially in compression. Thus, this coaxial core-shell strut configuration combines the best features of each material: the necessary stiffness and excellent osteoconductivity of the bioceramic, with the high toughness and ductility of the biopolymer; and allows the fabrication of hybrid scaffolds with the interconnected macroporosity necessary for cell ingrowth. Hence, this work successfully provides a proof-of-concept of this novel strategy for the mechanical enhancement of bioceramic-based scaffolds while preserving their osteoconductive properties.