Preparation and characterization of 3D nanocomposite scaffold from bioactive glass/beta-tricalcium phosphate via Robocasting method for bone tissue engineering

Abstract

In this research, a three-dimensional 45S5 bioactive glass (BG)/beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) composite (50/50 wt.) scaffold was prepared by the Robocasting method. For this aim, BG and TCP were synthesized via sol-gel and precipitation methods, respectively, and characterized. The scaffolds were robocast by extruding the ink composed of a proper amount of BG, TCP, and required additives, then, characterized in terms of physicochemical and biological properties. Results showed that nano BG and TCP were synthesized successfully. Scaffold characterization showed that the scaffold had a controlled and interconnected porosity (40) that exhibited notable average mechanical strength (similar to 17.39MP) as well as good bioactivity and supported the attachment and the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells and had a limited effect on the survival of these cells. According to the results, it is concluded that using the Robocasting method for preparing BG/TCP scaffold provided a 3D porous interconnected structure with notable mechanical strength