Preparation of nanostructure bioactive diopside scaffolds for bone tissue engineering by two near net shape manufacturing techniques

Abstract

Diopside has been recently investigated as a bioceramic with high mechanical and bioactivity properties, excellent biocompatibility, and appropriate degradation rate. This study has focused on fabrication of novel nanostructure diopside scaffolds by two near net shape manufacturing techniques (space holder and gelcasting methods) and comparison of their properties. The obtained scaffolds were characterized by means of X-ray Diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Archimedes method, image analysis, and compression tests. The results demonstrated that both the space holder and gel casting methods led to fabrication of highly porous scaffolds with 82-85 total porosity. The prepared scaffolds were highly interconnected and had appropriate pore size (200-800 mu m) and compressive strength (0.98 +/- 0.11-1.33 +/- 0.13 MPa). Therefore, the prepared nanostructure diopside scaffolds would be appropriate structure for use as bone substitute in bone tissue engineering. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.