title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), University of Naples Federico II, Piazz.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy. asalerno@unina.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salerno
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeppetelli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Maio
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iannace
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Netti
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D010012:Osteogenesis; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D017886:Durapatite