Scaffold for tissue engineering fabricated by non-isothermal supercritical carbon dioxide foaming of a highly crystalline polyester.
Porous scaffolds of a random co-polymer of omega-pentadecalactone (PDL) and epsilon-caprolactone (CL) (poly(PDL-CL)), synthesized by biocatalysis, were fabricated by supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) foaming. The co-polymer, containing 31 mol.% CL units, is highly crystalline (T(m) = 82 degrees C, DeltaH(m) = 105 J g(-1)) thanks to the ability of the two monomer units to co-crystallize. The co-polymer can be successfully foamed upon homogeneous absorption of scCO(2) at T > T(m). The effect of soaking time, depressurization rate and cooling rate on scaffold porosity, pore size distribution and pore interconnectivity was investigated by micro X-ray computed tomography. Scaffolds with a porosity in the range 42-76% and an average pore size of 100-375 microm were successfully obtained by adjusting the main foaming parameters. Process conditions in the range investigated did not affect the degree of crystallinity of poly(PDL-CL) scaffolds. A preliminary study of the mechanical properties of the scaffolds revealed that poly(PDL-CL) foams may find application in the regeneration of cartilage tissue.
Gualandi
Chiara
C
Chemistry Department G. Ciamician and INSTM UdR Bologna, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
White
Lisa J
LJ
Chen
Liu
L
Gross
Richard A
RA
Shakesheff
Kevin M
KM
Howdle
Steven M
SM
Scandola
Mariastella
M
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray / Q000379:methods; D007700:Kinetics; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D016062:Porosity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013696:Temperature; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D002245:Carbon Dioxide