title: Effect of adding nano-titanium dioxide on the microstructure, mechanical properties and in vitro bioactivity of a freeze cast merwinite scaffold.
abstract: In the present research, merwinite (M) scaffolds with and without nano-titanium dioxide (titania) were synthesized by water-based freeze casting method. Two different amounts (7.5 and 10 wt%) of n-TiO2 were added to M scaffolds. They were sintered at temperature of 1573.15°K and at cooling rate of 4°K/min. The changes in physical and mechanical properties were investigated. The results showed that although M and M containing 7.5 wt% n-TiO2 (MT7.5) scaffolds had approximately the same microstructures in terms of pore size and wall thickness, these factors were different for sample MT10. In overall, the porosity, volume and linear shrinkage were decreased by adding different weight ratios of n-TiO2 into the M structure. According to the obtained mechanical results, the optimum mechanical performance was related to the sample MT7.5 (E = 51 MPa and σ = 2 MPa) with respect to the other samples, i.e.: M (E = 47 MPa and σ = 1.8 MPa) and MT10 (E = 32 MPa and σ = 1.4 MPa). The acellular in vitro bioactivity experiment confirmed apatite formation on the surfaces of all samples for various periods of soaking time. Based on cell study, the sample which possessed favorable mechanical behavior (MT7.5) supported attachment and proliferation of osteoblastic cells. These results revealed that the MT7.5 scaffold with improved mechanical and biological properties could have a potential to be used in bone substitute.
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Dept, Materials and Energy Research Center, Karaj, Alborz, Iran.
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nezafati
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hafezi
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zamanian
authors.forename: Mandana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naserirad
mesh_terms: D001031:Apatites / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D008903:Minerals; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010006:Osteoblasts; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites; D008903:Minerals; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium
keywords: Merwinite scaffold; apatite formation; freeze casting; mechanical properties; osteoblastic cells; titanium dioxide