title: Biocompatible hollow-strut, silica enriched zirconia foams.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Porous ceramic biomaterials structures are accepted components in applied research in the field of tissue engineering due to their mechanical properties being closer to structural tissue like bone or other properties related to improved biocompatibility.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Hollow-strut, silica enriched zirconia foams were made by replication of polyurethane via impregnation with a suspension of zirconia-particles in polysiloxane.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two-step heat treatment allowed conversion of the precursor structures into hollow-strut ceramic foams which were tested for their biocompatibility using an osteoblast cell line. Further, the material was characterized via different spectroscopic (Raman-spectroscopy, EDX) and imaging (SEM, μCT) methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The material shows open cell porosity with hollow struts and sufficient structural integrity for handling and an expected chemistry as investigated by Raman and EDX spectroscopy. The material further supported cell growth and overall good biocompatibility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The investigated composite foam shows promising properties and is potentially interesting as candidate material for future bone tissue engineering applications.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zehbe
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zehbe
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry; D016062:Porosity; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D015040:Zirconium
keywords: Zirconia; biocompatibility; foams; silica; spectroscopy