title: Morphology and properties of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) scaffolds: impact of process variables.
abstract: Successful engineering of functional biological substitutes requires scaffolds with three-dimensional interconnected porous structure, controllable rate of biodegradation, and ideal mechanical strength. In this study, we report the development and characterization of micro-porous PVA scaffolds fabricated by freeze drying method. The impact of molecular weight of PVA, surfactant concentration, foaming time, and stirring speed on pore characteristics, mechanical properties, swelling ratio, and rate of degradation of the scaffolds was characterized. Results show that a foaming time of 60s, a stirring speed of 1,000 rpm, and a surfactant concentration of 5% yielded scaffolds with rigid structure but with interconnected pores. Study also demonstrated that increased foaming time increased porosity and swelling ratio and reduced the rigidity of the samples.
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI 48128, USA.
authors: Mao
authors: M
authors: Ye
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI 48128, USA.
authors: Pravansu
authors: P
authors: Mohanty
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI 48128, USA. Electronic address: gargi@umich.edu.
authors: Gargi
authors: G
authors: Ghosh
mesh_terms: D019245:Compressive Strength; D005612:Freeze Drying; D008422:Materials Testing; D008970:Molecular Weight; D017830:Octoxynol / Q000737:chemistry; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014867:Water; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D017830:Octoxynol
keywords: Foaming; Freeze drying; Interconnected micro-pores; PVA scaffold; Surfactant