Physical properties characterization of porous calcium phosphate scaffold for bone tissue engineering

Abstract

The porous calcium phosphate scaffold is used to repair bone defect. Cracked during pyrolysis process is the main problem of the porous calcium phosphate due to the low mechanical strength and high brittleness. This lead to reduce efficiency of the scaffold for cells proliferation. The aim of this work is to improve the mechanical properties of these ceramic scaffolds. Green body was produced using foam replication technique. The polyurethane foam with dimension of (20 x 10 x20) mm was immersed in slurry of apatite powder and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA). To obtain porous scaffolds, the green body was treated under various sintering temperature i.e. 1150°C, 1250°C and 1300°C for 3 hours, followed by dipping in PDLLA solution and dried at room temperature for 24 hours. The specimen was analysed under X-ray diffraction, SEM and compressive strength. The X-ray diffraction spectrum shows the presence of Ca10(PO4)6OH2 phases in the sintered scaffold. The formation of rod-like apatite was observed through SEM. The compressive strength was increased with increasing sintered temperature. It has a potential to be used as tissue engineering for low-load bearing application.