Silver decorated βtcp-poly(3hydroxybutyrate) scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Abstract

Implantations in orthopedics are associated with a high risk of bacterial infections in the surgery area. Therefore, biomaterials containing antibacterial agents, such as antibiotics, bacteri-cidal ions or nanoparticles have been intensively investigated. In this work, silver decorated β trical-cium phosphate (βTCP)-based porous scaffolds were obtained and coated with a biopolymer— poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-P(3HB). To the best of our knowledge, studies using silver-doped βTCP and P(3HB), as a component in ceramic-polymer scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration, have not yet been reported. Obtained materials were investigated by high-temperature X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, hydrostatic weighing, compression tests and ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography with mass spectrome-try (UHPLC-MS) measurements. The influence of sintering temperature (1150, 1200 °C) on the scaf-folds’ physicochemical properties (phase and chemical composition, microstructure, porosity, com-pressive strength) was evaluated. Materials covered with P(3HB) possessed higher compressive strength (3.8 ± 0.6 MPa) and surgical maneuverability, sufficient to withstand the implantation pro-cedures. Furthermore, during the hydrolytic degradation of the composite material not only pure (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid but also its oligomers were released which may nourish surrounding tissues. Thus, obtained scaffolds were found to be promising bone substitutes for use in non-load bearing applications.